Partnerships with private sector, a blessing for government
Kopela: “Partnerships with private institutions which are aimed at changing the livelihood in Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies – VTSD areas will assist government to speedily overcome challenges that our impoverished communities are facing”.
Bokone Bophirima Premier Supra Mahumapelo made the statement after handing over two (2) school libraries in Vresgewacht and Sannieshof to disadvantaged primary schools near Delareyville. The libraries were funded by Standard Bank which recently formed partnership with Office of the Premier.
The handing over was part of provincial governments effort to instill a culture of reading and creation of knowledge amongst learners, with a special focus on Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies (VTSD) and farm schools.
Premier Mahumapelo believes the provincial VTSD programme will bear even sweeter fruits if we allow partnerships with private sector to triumph.
“The speed at which we can contribute towards the construction of a human capital through knowledge, and by Standard Bank contributing a library, it will imbue these young people with knowledge, which they can later use to change not only their surroundings but the whole world. This will help government to move much faster with the VTSD programme” said Mahumapelo.
Standard Bank has contributed two-hundred thousand rand (R200 000.00) to the construction of two libraries in Doornbuild and Morotse Primary Schools.
Premier Supra Mahumapelo added that the provincial government will continue to prioritize the VTSD areas.
“People in these areas are facing harsh realities of poverty, unemployment and high inequality. We will always prioritize Villages and followed by Townships and Small Dorpies because of the situation our people are facing. We urge everyone to participate in the VTSD programme and contribute towards development of these areas” concluded Mahumapelo.
Head of Public Sector at Standard Bank Walter Mogotsi said the partnerships with Office of the Premier will yield more libraries and other important contributions to the VTSD programme.
“In our corporate social investment programme education is a priority. It was through the government’s Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies (VTSD) outreach programme that motivated Standard Bank to make such a contribution which is a way to reach communities that the organization can’t reach on its own. We are going to build more of these libraries” said Mogotsi.
The Principal of the Morotse Primary School Ntwaetsile Bogatsu has applauded the partnership between the provincial government and the private sector.
“We are very much excited that this partnership has yielded a library for such a disadvantaged school. The library will assist our school a lot in terms of reading. Every Friday morning, we give our kids an opportunity to read for ten minutes. The library will come in handy with variety of books for this exercise” remarked Bogatsu.
Premier Mahumapelo proceeded to hand over a Breaking New Ground house at Kopela village to ensure decent housing, security and comfort to a less fortunate family of Motlhaolwa.
Kerileng Motlhaolwa (90) who is living with her six grandchildren couldn’t stop thanking the provincial government for the house.
“Today it is a blessed day for my family. I have never thought that in my life I’ll ever live in such a beautiful house. Life inside a shack is not a good life. I’ll forever be grateful for what my government has done for me” said Motlhaolwa.
The house was built by the Department of Local Government and Human Settlements following a request by Premier Mahumapelo who came into contact with an elderly woman who was living in a dilapidated shack which was at the verge of collapse.
For enquiries, contact
Mr. Brian Setswambung
Cell: 076 012 4501
Email: bsetswambung@nwpg.gov.za
