Management from Liberty Life Insurance has significantly impacted the lives of learners at Somtseu Primary School in Flagstaff.
The company recently donated 100 desks and chairs to the school, addressing a pressing need for better learning conditions.
The Principal of Somtseu Primary School, Vukani Mkhwanazi, explained that their relationship with Liberty Life began in 2023 when the company first visited to distribute gifts to learners.
“Some of our classrooms are made of mud structures, and the school has been classified under Quintile One. Most parents here are unemployed and depend on social grants. Liberty Life officials returned in January this year, donating uniforms and stationery to our learners,” said Mkhwanazi.
He highlighted the positive impact of the support, noting, “Before their assistance, we had 280 learners, but this number has now grown to 367. Even parents are gaining trust and bringing their children back to school.”
Mkhwanazi added that the school’s infrastructure consists of temporary structures, mud classrooms, and only one brick-and-mortar classroom. Despite repeated requests to the Department of Education for a new school building, the promises made to them remain unfulfilled.
“We are always told we’re on the list, but we do not know why our school has not been rebuilt because we have a lot of learners here. We appeal to businesses to step in and support our school, just as Liberty Life has done,” he said.
The Chairperson of the School Governing Body (SGB), Nceba Ngungwini, expressed the parents’ gratitude.
Liberty Life’s Specialist for Corporate Social Investment (CSI), Ntswaki Kholoza, explained that while the company has not officially adopted the school, they were motivated to assist due to its urgent needs.
“This school was nominated by Sibahle Gongqa, a former advisor at Liberty who won a competition for advisors. The winner could select a school to support, and Gongqa chose Somtseu Primary because it is where she attended as a child. This was her way of giving back to the school that shaped her future,” said Kholoza.
Kholoza added that Liberty CSI has made a substantial impact across South Africa, donating over 19 000 pairs of school shoes and 21 804 sanitary pads. Additionally, the company runs a reading programme that benefits more than 1 400 learners.
“Through our flagship projects, we have supported over 134 schools and positively impacted more than 200 000 learners,” she said.
