Marble Hall Mechanisation Scores an A+ in Sustainability

As part of McCain's "Chips In" volunteering programme, and in celebration of Mandela Day,  employees in Marble Hall have fulfilled a simple, yet impactful wish - more desks for Esther Maleka Comprehensive School, a local community school.

“Our ‘Chips In’ initiative enables every employee to take one paid day off each year to volunteer for a local cause,” explains  Vongani Shivambu, Safety, Health and Environment officer at McCain’s Marble Hall operations. "At the core of our business philosophy is a deep commitment to volunteering, which serves as a vital means to assist those in need who may be facing challenges they cannot overcome on their own."

Framing a Brighter Future

The initiative began with collecting old frames, and with dedication and teamwork, these frames were transformed into 40 beautiful desks. Each desk was carefully crafted, with wood cut to size, meticulously painted, and elegantly varnished. The result? Smooth, sturdy desks that would make any learner’s day brighter.

Esther Maleka Comprehensive School had been grappling with severe resource shortages, particularly when it came to providing enough desks for their students. The arrival of this gift was a dream come true for the school, where rough patches, holes, and graffiti on desks were once a daily struggle, with some learners having to sit on the floor.

Vongani acknowledges the importance of desks in creating a conducive classroom environment for effective learning, “There is no doubt that a student’s focus and concentration will be positively impacted, ultimately driving their academic performance,” he says.

View infographic.

Chipping In and Chasing Dreams

Whenever employees had a chance, they would roll up their sleeves and contribute to the project by taking turns to share their skills and time to make a significant difference in the lives of these young learners.

But the story doesn't end here. The Marble Hall team has big plans for the future. They aim to extend their support to pre-schools in the area, ensuring that even the youngest members of the community have the tools they need to succeed in their education. Additionally, they are in the process of donating netball posts to Esther Maleka Comprehensive School, further enhancing the school's sports endeavours.