The learners and staff of Thanda Primary in Hectorspruit, Mpumalanga have plenty to smile about following the completion of Phase Four of the major upgrade undertaken by TRAC at this learning facility.

The R6 million project forms part of TRAC’s Corporate Social Investment responsibilities to communities along the N4 Toll Route and was launched in February 2018. Phase 1 saw the construction of an ablution block with enviro loos followed by the construction of the Foundation Phase block with a road-safety themed playground in phase 2. Phase 3 comprised the building of an eco-friendly, self-sustainable kitchen and seating area where the school’s 763 learners are served a daily meal as part of the National School Nutrition Programme. The fourth and final phase of the project included the building of three classroom blocks consisting of two classrooms each with every block having its own JoJo tank.

Although the initiative was funded by TRAC, it consisted of other key role players namely Earth Switch Architects who designed the new facilities and Laduma Construction who built them. Extensive planning and creativity went into the design of the new amenities to ensure that the learners enjoy first-rate facilities in a rural area. The new classrooms, for example, were designed and built in such a way that they stay cool even in the brutal heat often experienced in the Lowveld’s Nkomazi area.

Apart from giving the schools’ learners and staff the opportunity to relish in modern, new buildings, the initiative has also had a profound impact on the Nkomazi community.

At the official handover of the project TRAC CEO, Graham Esterhuysen, said that Thanda Primary has an incredibly special place in his heart. “In 2017 we were approached to assist the school with something small, but when we saw how much was needed, we decided to give it our all. It was always my biggest wish to leave one of our most prominent communities along the route the gift of education. I take immense pride in the knowledge that this has now been achieved in Nkomazi.”

“Education is crucial to the prosperity of our nation because without it there is no hope for future generations. This is why we at TRAC consider education as one of our most important CSI portfolios,” explained Mr Esterhuysen, “We are grateful that the Mpumalanga Department of Education entrusted us to serve the Nkomazi community in this manner. We are also delighted to hear of the provincial government’s commitment to continue looking after this institution to ensure it never goes without again.”