Supporting school learners by improving the facilities in which they learn is a cornerstone of ZAC’s community development programme. 

Zululand Anthracite Colliery (ZAC) handed over R265 000 worth of renovated facilities to Njomelwane Primary School on 6 September 2022. The no-fee public school is located in Ximba Traditional Authority, in the Nhlungwane Area of Mahlabathini, KwaZulu-Natal, about 20 km from ZAC. It is classified as a rural education institution by the National Education Infrastructure Management System, and caters for around 400 learners. 

Built through funding raised by the local community in the 1970s, the school needed renovations and with the local government unable to assist, the school requested assistance from ZAC. “ZAC has a long history of supporting local schools and had already donated computers to the school previously. Improving schooling facilities is important for ZAC as we believe we are investing in the future of this region. There is no greater investment than in human capital and good facilities play a pivotal part in the educational experience of learners,” stated ZAC Sustainable Development Manager Khumbulani 'Skorpion' Masuku.

The renovations were undertaken using a portion of the funds raised from the ZAC Golf Day 2021. The renovation of the facilities at the Njomelwane Primary School was completed on 30 August 2022. The upgrades included improving the roofing of 2 blocks of 8 classes, replacing broken windows, painting classrooms (interior and exterior), painting window frames, repairing gutters, painting the guardroom and repairing some of the school’s floors.

ZAC contracted local community companies Vulusizo Trading, Babazani Construction and Projects and Mthulicy Trading to carry out the renovations. Labour, which consisted of ten employees, was sourced from the local community. All the materials used for the renovation were purchased from local suppliers in the Ulundi area. 

Njomelwane Primary School Principal Xolani Hadebe and Learner Fezeka Ndlovu thanked ZAC and sponsors for improving the learning facilities at the school. “These renovations will go a long way to enhancing the educational experience of our learners,” said Hadebe. Ndlovu said: “On behalf of the learners here at Njomelwane Primary School we are very appreciative that you have not forgotten us and are aiding us in reaching for our dreams to do well at school.”

Title sponsors of the ZAC 2021 Golf Day were RHAM Equipment, PumpSmith, Rham Equipment and Conveyor and Plant Services. Conveyor and Plant Services GM Marinus Holtzhausen said: “It is very important to uplift local schools meaningfully and we are very happy to see the fruits of our sponsorship of the annual ZAC Golf Day.” Another ZAC Golf Day 2021 sponsor, SGS Labs, donated eight pairs of new school shoes to learners during the handover ceremony.