7 April 2022
Eight Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in Rustenburg’s Boitekong township received critical infrastructure upgrades made possible by the Shoprite Group.
The upgrades included a brand new build for the Moremologo Educare Centre, started by Mapula Mashaba in 2017 as a way to serve the community and support her family. The building in which it operated was dilapidated and unsafe. Given the extensive work required, Shoprite decided to demolish the old building and replaced it with a brand new, sound structure.
“The new school has helped us attract more enrolments and brought back former learners who left because of the poor condition of the old building. Shoprite has been very generous! I still can’t believe what they have done for us, and I am very grateful for their continued support.”
- Mapula Mashaba, founder of Moremologo Educare Centre
Mapula Mashaba from Moremologo Educare Centre.
Shoprite’s infrastructure upgrades at ECD’s are aimed at ensuring that learners have access to a safe, stimulating learning environment in which they are able to thrive, that the centres have access to water and santitation, and are equipped with safe bathrooms and proper kitchens.
Not far from Moremogolo is the Mphe Banna Educare Centre, run by Monica Sedumedi, whose late husband – Joel Mokoena – was a loyal Shoprite employee for 35 years.
Shoprite ensured that Sedumedi’s ECD received a much-needed revamp as well as practitioner training.
“I am very grateful to Shoprite for their continued support and so happy that we are able to take better care of our children now.”
- Monica Sedumedi, from Mphe Banna Educare Centre
Mphe Banna Educare Centre received a much-needed revamp as well as practitioner training.
This investment also benefitted the larger community with six other ECD’s in Boitekong – Letlhabile Early Child Care Centre, Mmelegi Day Care Centre, Petra Domus Day Care Centre, Happy Hearts Day Care Centre, Onalerona Day Care Centre and Kgolagano Day Care Centre – also receiving structural upgardes.
“Local tradesman were hired to do the upgrades at the eight ECD’s in Boitekong. With Shoprite’s support, the respective school principals identified, appointed and managed skilled and experienced workers from the community.”
- Judy Maluleka, Shoprite’s CSI Manager
Shoprite is commited to advancing early childhood development by investing in critical structural upgrades, skills training for practitioners as well as nutritious meals and educational resources for children at ECD centres across South Africa. In the last financial year, Shoprite’s support of 103 ECD’s benefitted 5 062 children and 291 837 nutritionally balanced meals were served to children in supported ECD centres.