As part of its commitment to uplift the communities in which it operates, Standard Bank has taken the initiative to equip learners at various schools in the Limpopo province with much-needed school gear to ensure that they do not have to go without the necessary resources that may impact their learning and sense of dignity.
“No child should be in a position where they do not have basic essentials like school shoes or uniform,” comments Andries Ndlovu, Head of Client Coverage, Standard Bank, Limpopo North. “It can be very hard for a scholar to learn when their basic needs are not met. If they are embarrassed by lack of appropriate clothes, or if the scholar is hungry, they will understandably struggle to meet academic expectations. That is why we are proud to support initiatives that help to provide necessities to needy scholars so that they can focus on what is most important: getting an education.”
Standard Bank has donated school shoes, socks, bags, uniforms (pants, skirts, shirts, and dry macs), stationery and paint to the value of just over R50 000 to around a collective 94 learners from three schools – Tshavhadinda Primary School in the Venda area, Xikukwana Primary School in Giyani and Matimu High School in Tzaneen.
This is not the only or last donation of school gear that the bank’s Limpopo staff plan to make to learners in local communities. They have already identified other schools where some learners are greatly in need of decent footwear and other essentials.
“Driving Africa’s growth through Private Public Partnership is what we aim to achieve as bank,” says Ndlovu. “We believe that by making a difference in the lives of school children in the communities in which we operate, we are bringing our values to life.”