Johannesburg, 31 October 2019 - Today marks the official handover of a water and classroom project at Diepsloot Secondary School No. 3 in Johannesburg, after 38 Engen service station owners undertook an eight-month task to transform the schooling facilities, by providing the most basic needs for children, many of whom live below the breadline. Over the years, franchisees (retailers) who serve on the Engen Gauteng Central West CSI committee have helped to restore, uplift and improve the facilities at several pre-schools in the Diepsloot area.

This year they again came together, this time to support Diepsloot Senior Secondary School No.3. Despite many challenges, the school has maintained a 100% matric pass rate over the past three years, courtesy of passionate and dedicated teaching staff and learners. This success has been achieved, despite Diepsloot Senior Secondary School having no running water for its 1 200+ learners.“We believe in the term, ‘no water, no education’. Therefore, we are passionate about giving back and believe that education can set these learners free and enable them to develop.

This is why we have ensured decent schooling facilities and drilled a borehole at the school, courtesy of Blue River Drilling, to provide a constant supply of clean running water,” says the CSI retailer committee. The borehole, which surprisingly produces water from an aquifer, is expected to yield approximately 65 000 liters of water a day, enough to supply the school, as well as neighbouring schools accommodating almost 3 000 pupils.

The borehole now also provides a water connection for the school’s ablution facilities and vegetable garden. “Running water at the school will not only resuscitate the school’s vegetable and greening projects, but also presents an opportunity to educate learners about water conservation. We are privileged that we could involve members of the community with the digging of trenches for the water connections, and reward them for their work,” adds the CSI committee.

And it does not end there.“In partnership with Container Conversions, we have managed to provide the school with extra classrooms, an air-conditioned exam hall, a staff lounge, a library and a fully-fitted kitchen with water, to name but a few of the aspects of the project.”The Engen franchisees unveiled the upgrades to a thrilled principal, staff and learners at the official launch event in late October where learners enjoyed treats including a nutritional meal, party packs and clothing items, which were supplied by the project partners.

Funding raised for the project by the Engen Gauteng Central West franchisees was matched by Engen as part of the company’s Engen Dealer Community Partnership Programme (DCPP).“Keeping in mind that knowledge is power, we managed to secure a container library book donor. Other positive spin-offs resulting from this project, include sanitary towel distribution from the primary school level upwards, as well a team-building course for the school staff.

“The CSI retailer committee extends its gratitude to the various project partners, including: Blue River Drilling, Container Conversions, Planact NGO, Cash Connect, SG Convenience, Kgwebong Consultants, KitKat and Corner Bakery.”Unathi Njokweni-Magida, Engen’s head of Transformation and Stakeholder Engagement says that Engen encourages and supports Engen franchisees engaging with their local communities and helping enrich lives for a sustainable future.“We welcome this generous show of community support and social upliftment by them,” says Njokweni-Magida.

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For more information please contact Gavin Smith, Engen External Communication Manager,This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   Tel: +27 21 403 4312   Cell: +27 82 379 1700

The annual Engen KlevaKidz launched in Limpopo this month with super hero safety educator, Mr Wise again in the starring role.

Engen KlevaKidz is an educational campaign that uses industrial theatre to engage and educate young learners across South Africa about the importance of paraffin safety.The 2019 edition launched at Ikhwezi Lokhusa and Mafemani Primary schools in Limpopo on 26 August, and will visit 15 schools in Limpopo, including primary schools in Burgersfort and Bothashoek over the next month.

The campaign then travels to Mpumalanga, Lesotho, Eastern Cape and concludes in the Western Cape at the end of October.

Engen KlevaKidz takes the form of an interactive educational stage drama using engaging characters to relay key safety messages in the learners’ mother tongues, including Zulu, Sotho, Xhosa and English, combined with catchy jingles to reinforce the theme.

According to Engen’s head of Transformation and Stakeholder Engagement, Unathi Magida, Engen KlevaKidz’s, often life-saving safety messages have reached over a quarter of a million vulnerable children over the past 10 years.

Engen is South Africa’s leading marketer of illuminating paraffin. Branded Laurel Paraffin, the energy source is extensively used by many South Africans in wick feed and pressure lamps, stoves, refrigerators and heaters, amongst its various industrial applications.“The use of paraffin in low-income homes in South Africa is associated with a number of problems such as children who drink it accidentally, the spread of fire, when as many as 2 000 homes can be destroyed in a single blaze, and extensive burn injuries,” says Magida.

Since its inception in 2008, Engen KlevaKidz has reached over 280 000 learners in 700 schools across South Africa – from rural villages deep in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape to townships in Gauteng, the Western Cape and Free State.

Superhero safety educator, Mr Wise is the main character who educates young learners about how to identify and use paraffin safely while interacting with “learners” Bongi and Junior.Stories are used to explain to the learners what to do if paraffin is ingested or inhaled.

Mr Wise also focuses on the importance of being clean and washing hands after contact with paraffin, and how to store paraffin safely.

Prizes such as super hero masks and funnels are handed out to learners. This is because Engen believes that the learners are all heroes who have the inner strength and ability to take care of themselves, says Magida.“Young children in under-resourced households are often the primary day-time care givers, often looking after their siblings while their parents or guardians are at work.

“Without supervision, and uninformed of the multiple dangers associated with using paraffin, children between the ages of 7 and 13 are often vulnerable, and it is these children who are the focus of Engen KlevaKidz. The aim is to provide them with the tools and know-how to deal with paraffin emergencies, storage and handling,” adds Njokweni-Magida.Engen KlevaKidz has proven to be a powerful medium to stimulate children’s imagination.

The takeout messages are explored in pre-and post-behavioural assessment questionnaires illustrating the retention achieved through theatre. “As a leading provider of petroleum products in South Africa, we take this to heart and are committed to contributing to the livelihoods and the safety of people,” concludes Magida.

Youth Month is special as it provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of helping young gifted South Africans explore new horizons and reach for the stars.

Nokubonga Ngqulunga, a young chemical engineer is one of many whose horizons have broadened thanks to Engen. Reflecting on the significance of 16 June in our country’s history, Nokubonga’s advises the country’s youth to “own” their education: “We grow and learn by the amount that we involve ourselves in, and invest in, the process. Hard work is a pre-requisite to unlocking success.”

Nokubonga grew up in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal and matriculated from Estcourt High School. She then moved to Gauteng to attend the University of Johannesburg where she graduated with a B-Tech Chemical Engineering degree. As a middle child with two sisters, Nokubonga was raised by her mother, a single parent who understood the value of education. “My mom made sure that all of us attended school and did well academically. From a young age I looked up to and admired my mom, she truly is a superwoman.”

This focus on education and a desire to excel led her to the Engen Maths and Science School at Howard Campus from grade 10. “I had my first stepping stone when I was afforded the opportunity to attend Engen’s extra classes in maths, science. I attended supplementary classes every Saturday for three years until I matriculated. The EMSS classes really assisted with exam preparation and work progress.”

After school, Nokubonga was awarded a full bursary from Engen to study at tertiary level. “Education was always a priority in our household,” reflects Nokubonga, “and I think that is why I have never stopped pursuing my studies. I was to attain a BEng (Hons) qualification next and gain as much work experience in different areas of business as possible.” As of May, this year, Nokubonga is a proud Engen Graduate Trainee and works at the Engen Lubricants Blending Plant in Durban.

“It’s only been a month but I have already learnt so much and I’m looking forward to gaining more experience.” So, what is Nokubonga’s secret to success? “I believe that anything and everything is possible if you put in the hard work and believe in yourself. Having a mentor, who is aligned with your life goal is also a good idea as it helps to ensure that your dreams are realistic and achievable. “I motivate myself by always trying to remember the bigger picture and what I want to achieve. It may sound like a cliché but there is nothing more powerful than setting realistic goals and being passionate enough to achieve it.”

By continuing to attract and grow minds and talents like Nokubonga, and to shape the careers of talented graduates, Engen continues on its path shape the future for the better. Helping young gifted South Africans explore new horizons proves once again that as a company, Engen is committed to building tomorrow’s leaders.