A thriving relationship was formed between Goodyear South Africa and Stephen Nkomo Primary School in 2017 with the Uitenhage-based tyre manufacturer renovating a classroom that was in dire need of refurbishment for Mandela Day.
This was followed by the renovation of two more classrooms in February this year. Further to this, Goodyear employees were hard at work earlier this year, renewing 80 desks which are now being used in the renovated classrooms.
On November 1, the school celebrated its 50th anniversary and Goodyear was part of the celebrations. Group Managing Director, Darren Hayes-Powell, delivered a message of support and remarked on how giving back to the school is close to Goodyear’s heart.
“Stephen Nkomo has been a pillar to the KwaNobuhle community for the past 50 years and I am proud to state that some of our employees and their children are products of Stephen Nkomo Primary School. We are honoured to have partnered with Stephen Nkomo, giving the company and its employees a platform where we can all give back.”
Principal Mrs Njiyela, said, “We partnered with Goodyear just over a year ago and I really want to take this time to applaud them for their dedication towards bringing a positive change in the lives of our learners. Goodyear has played an active role in shaping the future of our learners and we are grateful for all that they have done and continue to do for us”.
Employees of Goodyear have spent the past two Mandela Days engaging in educational and fun filled activities with the learners. Other outreach initiatives implemented by Goodyear included donating office furniture, sports equipment, Mathematics sets, sanitary towels amongst others. Goodyear will now be launching a programme called Keep A Dream Alive with the grade 7 learners before the end of the year.
“Education is the cornerstone of our society and it was important to us to identify a school that was focused on the holistic grooming of a young mind from the classroom to the debate halls; to the sportsgrounds and ultimately to the professionals the learners envision to become. As Goodyear South Africa, we have committed ourselves to playing an active role in developing the future of South Africa, the children. The Keep A Dream Alive programme will help us live up to this commitment,” said Hayes-Powell.