Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC), the biggest cement producer in Southern Africa, has once again shown its commitment to the communities it operates in by donating much needed furniture to schools surrounding their operations in Zimbabwe. Complementing an earlier PPC donation of stationary and textbooks, learners at the Portland Cement and Bulawayo Siding Primary Schools as well as at the Colleen Bawn Primary and High Schools, will now be able to attend class in fully equipped classrooms.

(From left to right; back to front) Hector Moyo, HR manager of PPC Colleen Bawn; Concern Sibanda, HR manager of PPC Bulawayo; Eggs Sima, senior manager at PPC Bulawayo; Joe Shibambo, PPC South Africa non executive director; Harley Dent, chairman of PPC Zimbabwe; school headmasters of the Colleen Bawn Primary and High Schools (three gentleman); Zak Limbada, managing director of PPC Zimbabwe; Kelibone Masiyane, general manager of PPC Colleen Bawn; honourable A. Masuku, Matebeleland South Provincial Governor; Honourable Senator D. Coltart, Zimbabwe Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture; Mrs T. Mathabela, Provincial Education Director of Matabeleland South.

Once well known for its high standard of education in the SADC region, Zimbabwe's economic meltdown has had a devastating effect on its education facilities. As such, PPC is dedicating to investing in schools in a holistic manner so that a conducive learning environment is established and maintained. By growing people through education PPC is committed to improving the lives of its employees and the communities it operates in.

"PPC believes that the various donations made to these schools will not only enhance the school environment for learners but also for educators. In the long run we aim to inspire and motivate students to work hard and produce results that enable them to further their studies at a tertiary level," said Harley Dent, Chairman of PPC Zimbabwe, who attended the event. 

Through its corporate social investment programme PPC has, over the past 18 months, invested approximately R700 000 in various education projects around Zimbabwe. By continuing to invest in a responsible way PPC seeks to contribute towards thriving and sustainable communities.