Unilever announces winners of 2014 Omo Spar Schools Challenge

For the eighth consecutive year, the initiative has been run successfully in collaboration with 86 Spar stores across South Africa. It forms part of an ongoing drive by Omo to encourage learners to be active through sport and to equip them with vital resources that will enhance their learning ability and promote development.

Encouraging learners to embrace the outdoors and engage in physical activity

"The Omo brand has been involved in education and sports projects for over a decade. This is part of a long-term vision to enhance the learning potential of the youth of South Africa through various sponsorships whilst also introducing a fun element to the education process," said Andrew Mysell, Omo Marketing Manager.

"Each year we identify and reach out to communities most in need of resources to develop their talent and abilities. We hope to make significant strides towards achieving future targets and encouraging learners to embrace the outdoors and engage in physical activity."

The competition required parents to purchase either a 2kg or 3kg Omo Fast Action washing powder or a 1.8kg Omo with a Touch of Comfort pack at any of the 86 participating Spar outlets nationally and nominate their child's school.

Nomusa Nkwanyana, a science teacher at Imbewenhle Primary School in Mandeni on KwaZulu-Natal's North Coast, whose school had won a science lab for the second time, was overwhelmed that her school had emerged as one of the winners.

"Until last year our school never had a science lab on our premises, nor did we have an idea what it would look like and how it would work.

"Teaching has now been elevated to a new level as I am able to expose the children to exciting practical lessons in the classroom in which they have the opportunity to experiment themselves," said Nkwanyana.

"The science labs are portable, making it easy to transport between classes and its user-friendliness makes it especially popular with the children who are eager to get involved in the learning process.

"Not only has this resource significantly improved the pass rate of our learners - it has also encouraged the less academic learners not to shy away from science, perceiving it to be a subject only for the boffins."

Omo provided the winning schools' science teachers with a one-day training programme on how to operate the mini science laboratories and how to make science experiments relevant.

A training manual was provided for support and teachers had the opportunity to physically conduct experiments during the training session.

To upskill and develop individuals in the community to the extent that they can one day better serve the nation and its people

Livio Liberatore, Thohoyandou Spar Store Manager in Limpopo said: "Limpopo is synonymous with high illiteracy levels and the intervention from Unilever is certainly one to be commended. The region has been correctly identified as a highly disadvantaged area in which the investment in education will be most beneficial to learners and educators alike.

"As a group, we are proud to be affiliated with a campaign that seeks to upskill and develop individuals in our community to the extent that they can one day better serve the nation and its people."

The campaign seeks to support a practical and integrated approach to learning and youth development through the sponsorship of sports kits.

Lungelo Innocent Motha, a sports master at Tsakane Primary School in Gauteng's East Rand said: "The learners from our school are primarily from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Hence, they did not have access to proper soccer and athletic kits until now, leaving them with little motivation to express their talent and passion for sports.

"The new gear has given learners a new identity, enabling them to look up to their counterparts with confidence and vigour. This act of generosity will further incentivise our learners to develop their sporting abilities and will also aid in their academic development."

The winning schools in each region were announced as follows:

Gauteng:

Bramley Primary School
Carter Primary School
Endulweni Sparimary School
Ebony Park Primary School
Denver Primary School
Samson Primary School
Nandi Primary School
Umtholo Primary School
Dukathole Primary School
Ntsikana Primary School
Fukama Primary School
Rekgutlile Primary School
Tsakane Primary School
Bulelani Primary School
Nyandeni Primary School
Phumula Primary School
Makgatho Primary School
Zamintuthuko Primary School
Khensani Primary School
Mabu-A-Tlou Primary School
Lebelo Primary School
Lefofa Primary School
Chokoe Primary School
Kgoro Primary School
Rampa Primary School
Lareng Primary School
Solplaatje Primary School
Kgato Primary School
Tisetso Junior Primary School

KwaZulu-Natal:

Imbaliyamazulu Primary School
Dumani Primary School
Redfern Primary School
Mavivane Public Primary School
Imbewenhle Primary School
Mzingwenya Primary School
Thembelihle Primary
Nqiwaneni Primary School
Prince Dabulamanzi Primary School
Nompondo Primary School
Maputa Primary School
Kokstad Public Primary School
Manguzela Primary School
Khulakahle Primary School
Endumeni Primary School

Western Cape:

Litha Primary School
Vukukhanye Primaryy School
Impendulo Primary School

Limpopo:

Molamo Primary School
Boiketlo Primary School
Ithuteng Lower Primary School
Maebe Primary School
Elandskraal Primary School
Jafta Lower Primary School
Riba Primary School
Khabele Primary School
Deo Gloria Primary School
Bonwa-Udi Primary School
Mvudi Primary School
Mugorowane Primary School
Nzhelele Senior Primary School
Masungulo Primary School
Fuyatha Primary School
Giyani Comprehensive Primary School
Fofoza Primary School
Lephalale Primary School

Eastern Cape:

Pefferville Primary School
Bumbanani Lower Primary School
Mayekiso Primary School
Canaan Primary School
Polar Park Primary School
Bambanani Primary School
Mbuqe Combined School
Lukhanyo Primary School
Bhekameva Junior Primary School
Engcobo Primary School
Nonesi Primary School
Mqophiso Primary School
Fumisukoma Primary School

Mpumalanga:

Vuma Primary School
Retang Primary School
Msogwaba Primary School
Majika Primary School
Fundindlela Primary School
Saselani Primary School
Mabonwana Primary School
Elukwatini Primary School

For more information on the 2014 Omo Spar Schools Challenge call 0860 572 908, email moc.revelinu@az-sriaffa.remusnoc or visit www.omo.co.za.