Many children in South Africa go to school on empty stomachs due to the food insecurity scourge that is ongoing in the country and this can hinder how they socialise and retain information in school.

In efforts to create a better learning experience for disadvantaged children, Veer Steel Mills - a division of the Alfeco Group - launched their first Veer Steel Food Programme (VSFP) at Hawk Academy in Primrose, Germiston with the priority of serving children and ensuring a better quality of learning in schools, on 7 May 2021.

According to Kgotsofalang Mashilo, Corporate Affairs Liaison of Alfeco Group, now more than ever, the onus is on everyone to affect a positive change in communities in which we live or work.

“Devastating ramifications of Covid-19 were seen when schools shut down following the state-mandated hard lockdown. This rendered children who rely on school feeding schemes for daily meals, without recourse. Through VSFP we aim to change feeding infrequencies exacerbated by the coronavirus by providing nutritious school meals to about 1200 Hawk Academy learners, on a Monday to Friday basis,” says Mashilo.

Albany also partnered with VSFP by providing stationery packs, lunch boxes and treats for learners, on the day of the launch.

In addition to the food programme we started, Veer Steel Mills administered the installation of a variable speed booster pump and donated two 10 000L water tanks to the school’s pre-existing borehole.

The borehole infrastructure was drilled and installed by Abcon Group Foundation. The two organisations ensured that the school continues to have reliable running water.

Agnes Mkhonto, Principal at Hawk Academy, says the completion of the borehole by Veer Steel Mills means the children can enjoy clean, safe drinking water and the introduction of the food programme will allow the pupils to be less worried about learning on empty stomachs and give their academics the focus required.

During the launch, Mrs SA Semi-Finalist Thembi Sambo gave a motivational talk on anti-bullying in schools.

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“In South Africa, about 57 per cent of people will have experienced bullying in respective levels of their schooling career. Bullying can debilitate a child’s growth and stop them from aspiring to see a life after the trauma of being bullied. I aim to encourage children to speak out on bullying and further reclaim their lives by dreaming even if it seems impossible or limited by circumstances,” says Sambo.

Empowering Hawk Academy learners by establishing a food programme is one of the many projects Veer Steel Mills will administer in partnership with the school. “With aims to lessen the digital divide and streamline learner’s academic needs, our future plans include installing much-needed internet connectivity, required by their Computer Application Technology class at the school,” says Mashilo.