MEC YAWA AND PPC CEMENT LAUNCH - PARTNERSHIP IN SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

North West MEC for Public Works,The Honourable Howard Yawa, and the Chief Operations Officer for PPC Cement, Dr Orrie Fenn, launched a partnership to develop skills among emerging contractors in the construction sector on September 12.

The launch, which was held at the PPC Slurry Plant, east of Mafikeng, was attended by amongst others, Members of the North West Construction Liaison Committee, and other construction industry players. The partnership for the training of 94 new entrants in the construction sector will empower emerging contractors, in understanding and applying business finance, tendering for construction contractors and establishing health and safety for a work area.

The skills development programme modules could be credited towards an NQF Level Two learnership qualification, in construction contractor management.  Handing over a cheque of R100 000 to MEC Yawa,,Dr Orrie Fenn  said that the initiative supports government's vision to create work and fight poverty. He furthermore said that PPC Cement provided the funding, in order to provide the trainees with the necessary skills to become active economic players in the future.

Accepting the donation, an overjoyed MEC Yawa complemented PPC Cement for acknowledging that the transformation of the construction is not just the responsibility of government alone, but the collective responsibility of all involved in the construction sector.  MEC Yawa said that the history of PPC Cement is closely linked to the growth and development of South Africa's infrastructure. He said that since its establishment in 1892, it has produced cement for many of the country's most famous landmarks and construction projects such as the Union Buildings, the Gariep Dam, the Van Staden River Bridge, the [Continues on page 2]

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Presentation ceremony at the Klerksdorp Game Centre

During a presentation ceremony at the Klerksdorp Game Centre on Wednesday 7 September, thirteen physically disabled, but smiling children were each the elated recipient of a brand new wheelchair. Their excited delight brought about more than an emotional tear or two amongst all present, including staff and curious shoppers.

Two of the recipients whose lives were changed by this benevolent gesture, are Mpho Matibela and Michelle Linde from the Daphne Lee Centre in Klerksdorp. Mpho, now a young girl, is the surviving sister of Klerksdorp's famous separated Siamese twins. (Mpho, incidentally, is in need of the services of a 'Good Samaritan' to convey her daily to and from Jouberton and the Centre.)

Nico van Dyk, Game's store manager, performed the presentation directly after Christo Kellie, loss control manager, had given a short speech about the significance of the occasion. On behalf of the recipients, Piet Botha, chairman of the North West Association for the Physically Disabled and the Daphne Lee Centre, expressed his gratitude towards everyone involved. The recipients from Meerhof School for the Physically Disabled in Hartbeespoort, were joined by their headmistress, Ms Thea Lewis. 

This charitable venture is part of a joint drive by Game Stores and Vodacom, to mobilise more than 530 such children across South Africa, over the next few months. Another 25 children will receive assistive devices such as crutches or walkers. The two companies donate an equal percentage of their profit on every Vodacom cellphone sold at all Game stores, to a special wheelchair fund.

With this year's R1 million drive, a remarkable total of R3,7 million worth of wheelchairs will have been provided to more than 2600 needy youngsters over the past 7 years, by the Game and Vodacom Wheelchair Fund. The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa, is an active partner in the initiative. Their offices around the country help to identify the children in their region, with the greatest need for a wheelchair. [Continues on page 2]

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