In a move to support educational sustainability, on Tuesday, 9 September, Sanlam Retail Mass has installed water storage tanks at Sikhanyisele Primary School and four other schools in Mamelodi East, Pretoria. The initiative is part of the company's Kas'lam community programme, which provides critical infrastructure to address challenges faced by township schools.
This strategic investment builds on Sanlam's century-long commitment to South African communities. The new water tanks directly address unreliable water supply, a persistent issue that often disrupts learning. The installation at Sikhanyisele Primary School is part of a larger plan that has already seen the organisation extend this support to multiple township schools across Gauteng, says Sanlam.
"Our Kas'lam initiative is about creating a sustainable impact by investing directly in our communities," says Virginia Nkosi, Executive: Stakeholder Management and Market Development at Sanlam Retail Mass. "Water is a vital resource, and by providing these tanks, we are helping schools not only address immediate challenges but also build resilience for the future. We are proud to stand alongside Mamelodi schools in supporting quality education and wellbeing for their learners."
The donation comes at a crucial time. The Tshwane district faces severe water shortages due to aging infrastructure and municipal water losses. The city currently consumes an estimated 18% more water per day than its licensed allocation, and it spends approximately R450-million annually on water tankers just to meet basic community needs. With the new tanks, the benefiting Mamelodi East schools can now maintain consistent operations and ensure minimal interruption to the academic curriculum, even during times of water scarcity, adds Sanlam.
The school community welcomed the support with gratitude. Principal Snowy Mokoma says, "This donation could not have come at a better time. Reliable access to water is essential for our learners' health and dignity. The tanks will ease many daily struggles and ensure that our children can learn in a safe and supported environment."
Mr Calvin Motileng, Chairperson of the School Governing Body, adds, "Sanlam has shown that true partnerships with communities go beyond words. This support means that as parents, we will not have to worry about our children not being in school when there are water shortages. Our teachers and learners can now focus more on education. We are deeply thankful for this gesture."
"The Kas'lam initiative reflects our belief that sustainable community development starts with addressing fundamental needs," Nkosi adds. "By securing basic infrastructure, we enable communities to focus on growth and advancement."
For more information, visit www.sanlam.co.za. You can also follow Sanlam on Facebook, LinkedIn, or on X.
*Image courtesy of contributor