Page 71 - SAPREF 50 year

Community Liaison Forum helped both SAPREF and the neighbouring communities to improve relationships and understanding of each other. I am very pleased that this structure continues to function to this day,” she says.
“A highlight for me in those early days was the donation of the first science laboratory to a township school after an approach by a group of principals. The beauty of these labs is that they are used by thousands of learners year after year. So, after ten years, the labs have touched thousands and thousands of lives and made an enormous difference in promoting the learning and understanding of science.”
Leonard, who worked at SAPREF for a total of 20 years, concurs with Margaret. Says Leonard: “Although I worked as an operator for 10 years before joining the Sustainable Development
(SD) department and really loved it, the best years of my SAPREF career were spent in the
SD department working with the community
to implement social investment projects and getting SAPREF known as a responsible, caring neighbour to the community.”
Today, the department consists of three people: Cindy Govender, Londiwe Myeza
and Lindiwe Khuzwayo who heads up this section along with the Human Resources Department. Lindiwe says, “The department
has the extremely rewarding task of looking after SAPREF’s liaison with the community. In addition, the team looks after communication, social investment and BBBEE. While interacting with the community can be challenging, over the years it has matured to a point where it is robust yet constructive.
“The social investment part of our job is
most gratifying. With every project we have an opportunity to make SAPREF part of the community while making lasting contributions to our neighbours, especially in education. From mobile libraries to mobile clinics, from science labs to community bakeries, we mitigate against the effects of poverty one project at a time. Here’s to the next 50 years of making a difference!”
Robin Mooldijk (Managing Director), Senzo Mchunu (former education MEC) and Leonard Mbokazi (Community Liaison Officer) inspect equipment at a new SAPREF-sponsored lab at Umlazi Secondary School in 2012.
The CLF often initiates community projects that are then supported by SAPREF. One of the longest running ones was a soccer tournament for local primary schools. Here one of the soccer stars from an all girl team puts her ball skills on display.
COMMEMORATING 50 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
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