Transnet shells out R4million for community development initiative

Transnet, as a major role player in skills development initiatives that empower communities nationally, continues to support and reinforce its commitment and values through its specialist corporate social investment vehicle, Transnet Foundation.

The college, in collaboration with government departments, corporate citizens and other non-profit making entities has established itself as a force to be reckoned with. It has partnered with the Department of Basic Education on its Adopt-A-Learner Programme through which leaners, especially from the townships are brought together with mentors to guide them through their learning periods.

“Transnet is proud to be associated with the SOMAFCO Trust primarily in the knowledge that our involvement allows the Trust to deliver on critical development work, with a remarkable impact on the youth. Partnerships, like these allow Transnet to achiever far more sustainable developmental outcomes than possible on our own,” says Sibusiso Ngomane, Senior Manager: Communications and Special Projects at the Foundation.

The SOMAFCO Trust is a South African youth development organization which draws its inspiration from the history of SOMAFCO, a college which was established by the African National Congress (ANC) on land donated to it by the Tanzanian government in 1977. SOMAFCO was established with the support of the international solidarity movement during the apartheid years.

Another interesting programme run by the SOMAFCO Trust is its Adopt-A-Programme cause. The programme is endorsed and partnered by the Department Basic Education and also supported by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe. The Trust, together with its partners, are working towards further supporting these initiatives to ensure that they grow into models worthy of national replication.

Its first set of three initiatives, Ngezandla Zethu, Loaves and Fishes Network and Qongwana Primary School were identified through a 9-month filtering process which culminated with the top 3 from 80 applications being awarded a financial reward where identified on the 3rd June 2011.

The college also runs the O R Tambo Edu-Tour, a program aiming to leverage the legacy of SOMAFCO to predominantly inspire young active citizens to 'further' their efforts and contributions towards nation building. The Education Tour takes participants on a 7-9 day educational Tour to the SOMAFCO in Tanzania, meaning a preservation and promotion of the legacy of SOMAFCO.

Background – Who is Solomon Mahlangu

Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu was born in Pretoria on 10 July in 1956. He was the second son of Martha Mahlangu. He joined the African National Congress (ANC) in September 1976, and left the country to be trained as an Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) “The Spear of the Nation” soldier. The training was received in Angola and Mozambique and on 11 June 1977 he returned to South Africa as a cadre, heavily armed, through Swaziland to assist with student protests. Mahlangu was wrongfully accused on charges of murder and terrorism in 1977, and executed by hanging in 1979.