Santam commits to improve safety at schools

Santam's partnership with the City and the Department of Education began in January 2013 and Santam is supporting the SRO programme for three years.

The schools are Phoenix High School (Manenberg), Chrystal High (Hanover Park), Bishop Lavis High (Bishop Lavis), Sizimisele High (Khayelitsha), Oscar Mpetha High (Nyanga) and Lotus High (Lotus River).

Repairs and replacements

Dependent on the needs of the schools, resources were available this year for repairs and replacements of damaged doors, windows, emergency exits and school gates at Sizimisele High, Phoenix High and Lotus High. Repairs and replacements will be done at the remaining schools next year.

Donald Grant, Western Cape MEC for Education, commended Santam at a handover event for getting involved and partnering with the City to create safer schools and to improve conditions more conducive to effective learning.

"We are extremely proud and honoured to be involved with the SRO programme as it's not only aligned to our corporate social investment (CSI) strategy that focuses on safe and secure community schools, but also to the core of our business, which is managing risk," says Tersia Mdunge, CSI manager at Santam.

Creating pride in schools

"Our learners deserve to feel safe where they study, and it is important to create an environment in which learning can take place. The lawnmowers we have contributed may be used to cut grass, but they also create pride in the school among teachers, learners and the community. Obviously, they facilitate sports activities as well which, as we all know, adds to a sense of pride in our learning institutions while providing an outlet and avenue of expression for children and teachers," says Mdunge.

"In addition to this programme, Santam has also partnered with UNICEF's Safe and Caring Child Friendly Schools programme, NICRO on the Safety Ambassador Programmes and with Schools @ the Centre of Community. These programmes are essential in addressing key social risks such as increased levels of violence and substance abuse. We cannot place too much emphasis on tackling these issues which many communities are currently facing and which ultimately negatively affect our children," concludes Mdunge.

J.P. Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security of the City of Cape Town, said the SRO programme is adding considerable value to communities and donations like Santam's contribution will assist the programme as it tries to reach more schools.