Airports Company South Africa, Cape Town International Airport (ACSA CTIA) had the opportunity to make a discernable difference in its communities by donating in the region of R1’536 million towards the development of a number of different organisations in its neighbouring communities, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme last year and this year is expected to be no different.
Of that amount, R150’ 000.00 was allocated to schools development projects in the airport’s vicinity, with about R22’000.00 invested in each of the seven schools identified. CTIA worked closely with the Western Cape Education Department and the District Managers to select seven schools that were in desperate need of assistance.
CTIA’s Communications Manager, Deidre Hendricks says, “Community development is a key pillar of our social investment programme. We continuously find opportunities to positively impact our neighbouring communities. Seven schools with a shortage of basic elements such as chairs, desks and the like were identified and assisted.” The schools that benefited are Nomsa Mapongwana Primary School and Matthew Goniwe Memorial High School in Khayelitsha, Nomlinganiselo Primary School in New Crossroads and St Mary’s Primary School in Nyanga, Kwa-Faku Primary School and Qingqa-Mntwana Primary School in Philippi as well as Eastville Secondary School in Mitchell’s Plain.
To mark these developments, a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at one of the beneficiaries, Matthew Goniwe Memorial High School in Khayelitsha today. This school specifically used the funds to purchase chairs, desks, classroom doors, replace windows, toilets and basins amidst a few other things. The school was recently voted the best in Khayelitsha and demonstrated dedication, hard work, commitment and strong leadership which contributed to the improved grade 12 pass rate from 45% in 2009 to 87% in 2010. The event was attended by officials from Cape Town International Airport and representatives from the Western Cape Department of Education.
“Our business is not only about airports – it’s about giving back to our communities. So, as an airport operator, contributing toward the development and sustainability of our communities is very important”, Hendricks concluded.
