The programme for the day included the presence of a few members of the Lions rugby team, who ran two rugby clinics for the pupils and a party for the children, hosted by Marsh Africa.

“The late statesman and global icon, Nelson Mandela, once said that ‘education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ At Marsh Africa, we share the same vision for South Africa. In this vision, schools perform with excellence and contribute to an environment in which young people transition into their post school lives equipped for the challenges ahead. They are ready to access and maximise opportunities for tertiary education, practical skills development and are eager and valuable entrants to the human resource pool,” says Jurie Erwee, chief executive officer at Marsh Africa.

Yet according to basic education minister, Angie Motshekga, South Africa still has over 3.1 million pupils who are without the fundamental necessity of a school desk. DeskBags are an innovative and viable alternative solution to the shortage of desks. Made from recycled vinyl billboard materials, DeskBags not only provide a portable desk solution but also have a dual function as eco-friendly school bags.

“Marsh Africa is proud of its history of service and support to the communities in which the organisation operates and where our employees live and work. Although we cannot transform education, we can however make a valuable contribution. This is seen in the way we approach the Marsh Boost a School programme,” says Erwee.

“Our programme entails partnerships with a variety of schools across South Africa, where we provide support such as learner leadership and activation, teachers’ support and resilience, parental empowerment, career guidance and building cohesion throughout the schools and their communities,” she adds.

Further to Marsh Africa’s investment towards education in South Africa, they also run a CSR programme which involves a variety of once off projects that helps raise awareness and more often than not funds for various causes.

“We are a global player who is driven by the desire to develop the communities in which we operate through volunteering, philanthropy, innovation, and pro bono work. This is why the entire Marsh Group, worldwide, contributes towards International Mandela Month by fulfilling the needs which are most pressing to that region. At, Marsh Africa, our investment and commitment to education forms the core of our corporate citizenship which goes far beyond the call of Mandela Day,” continues Erwee.

Shannon Roscher, co-founder of DeskBags concludes, “Statistics prove that poverty, crime and a lack of education have a very intimate relationship. The text book solution is to increase education which leads to increased income, which reduces poverty and crime. But we also understand the severity of the situation that the 3.1 million deskless children in South Africa face. Not having a school desk not only hinders a child’s ability to learn but using the floor as a writing surface can lead to bad handwriting, poor eyesight, and unconventional posture which can lead to chronic back and neck ache.”

“While we strive to make a real and remarkable difference by donating DeskBags for free to as many underprivileged schools and communities as possible, we realise that this problem is just too big to try and tackle ourselves. It is only by partnering with corporate sponsors such as Marsh Africa, that we can truly help alleviate the educational struggles of tomorrow’s leaders,” Roscher says.

For more information visit africa.marsh.com or www.deskbags.co.za. Alternatively connect with them on Facebook or Twitter.