MBABANE – EEC continues to be a source of light beyond their core mandate to empower the economy. The company exemplifies the epitome of Corporate Social Initiative (CSI). Today, EEC donated 1500 solar powered lamps to help pupils in unelectrified areas to study for longer in a safer way.
EEC made the donations to the Mbuluzi Rotary Club. Speaking at the handover event, EEC Ernest Mkhonta said “You might wonder why we do that when our primary mandate is to provide electricity. It is essential for companies like our for give back to the community. It is good for CSI to give back. This is enshrined in our strategy as well, so that we become relevant and relevant to our community.”
“Today, a total of E200,000 is being donated to Mbuluzi/MBABANE Rotary Club for the distribution of 1500 solar-powered lamps to various schools within the four regions of the country. The objective is to help children from disadvantaged backgrounds so that they have extra time for studying to improve their education,” announced the CEO.
The director of the Mbuluzi Rotary Club, Buyani Fakudze, gave a brief background of the initiative when receiving the the donation. He explained that “Its great to see how much of a change has happened in such a short space of time”, when referring to the experiment they ran to see if solar powered lamps actually help pupils get better grades. He added that “It was bold move from EEC to have supported this project, to see the potential of it, and to put a lot of money into it.” He explained that they have managed to get them at half price due to the networks that the Rotary Club has. He added that the Ministry of Education suggested that they start with the rural areas before they can address urban poverty.
Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Education Bheki Gama also expressed the Ministry’s appreciation of EEC’s CSI. “EEC is providing something that they should get paid for according to their business model for free”, said the PS when speaking about the solar powered lamps. He also highlighted that the Ministry appreciates EEC’s contribution to absorbing the products of the education system in the country – through the over 800 employees, and over 700 people employed under subcontractors for the rural electrification scheme.
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