Smiths Manufacturing and EThekwini Partnership provides winning formula for Science in KZN Schools

Smiths Manufacturing’s partnership with the eThekwini Municipality has resulted in a welcome boost for Science Education in the Kzn area. Ten lucky schools will be the proud recipients of the latest CAPS compliant Physical Science kits which have been donated by Smiths Manufacturing. It is envisaged that this will contribute to an improvement in the learner’s performance in Science, Technology, and Engineering at school level so that more learners can pursue careers requiring these subjects at tertiary level which is essential to the economic growth of our country in future years.

Under the management of Smiths Manufacturing’s Corporate Social Investment committee an amount of R295 000 was provided to fund this project. A good education is founded on the premise that the environment be conducive to the practice of learning. It should be able to make available to learners the infrastructure, facilities and resources necessary for learning. Sadly, in South Africa the legacy of our past does not always render this basic fundamental a reality. All too often we find that our country's schools - especially those serving the historically disadvantaged or today's lower income groups - do not measure-up. Many fall short in terms of both infrastructure and the provision of the tools necessary to give effect to efficient teaching and effective learning and we hope that our contribution is a small step to making an improvement said Futhi Buthelezi, Human Resources Director of Smiths Manufacturing.

Smiths Manufacturing is a leading Automotive Component Manufacturing Company that has been in operation since 1958. The company offers latest manufacturing capability and key technologies, supplying Original Equipment and Parts and Accessory Components to vehicle manufacturers, such as Toyota, Ford and Isuzu, so the promotion of Science and technology is something very close to the Company.

EThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda who was the keynote speaker at the launch of the project, added that the country is facing a skills shortage in career fields relating to Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. “It is pleasing to see a public-private partnership in action, as private companies work together with government to fight these challenges. The science kits donated to schools will go a long way in improving education in our country,” he said.

The project will be coordinated and managed by Ahmed Motala of the New Africa Education Foundation, an NPO that has partnered with Smiths Manufacturing and EThekwini municipality to roll out the project to the ten schools.