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 paraffin safety campaign rolled out in Bloemfontein, Free State this week 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 Khune Primary School, Thaba Nchu and will visit 10 schools in the Thaba Nchu and Botshabelo regions in the Free State running until 25 October.

The educational campaign which has already visited schools in the Limpopo and North West provinces will then travels to the Eastern Cape and conclude in the Western Cape in November.

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 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.