SCHOOL MAGAZINE PROGRAMMME
Kgarebana Boutique Guesthouse acquires over 30 high-quality magazines monthly for displaying in the guest rooms and public areas, of which all have to be replaced monthly when a new batch becomes available.
In October 2018, Kgarebana Boutique Guesthouse embarked on a mission to help four local primary schools by supplying them with reading material from the used magazines collected by the guesthouse over the months.
A decision was taken by management that instead of discarding the accumulated magazines or merely just giving them away, we could contribute them to our local primary schools for the enrichment and education of the learners. That was when the concept of the School Magazine Programme was born. We nominated four schools within close proximity to the guesthouse which would make it easy for the teachers to collect the magazines.
The programme was welcomed enthusiastically by all four schools. The following are the schools and the principals/educators who received the magazines at the launch of the Programme:
• Fundawazi Primary School - Mrs. Madibane (Principal)
• Jabulani Primary School - Mr. Sibanyoni (Teacher)
• Vulamehlo Primary School - Ms. Jiyane (Principal)
• Bhekimfundo Primary School - Mr. Sebopela (Principal)
We are very proud to be part of this initiative in contributing to the future of the young learners, and we hope to inspire other businesses to join in on the mission.
PAVEMENT TREE PLANTING DAY
Kgarebana Boutique Guesthouse, along with other concerned partners, decided that it was time for all of us to make a contribution to our environment and fight back against the adverse effects of global warming and climate change that are currently affecting our daily lives. One of the many ways to combat global warming and climate change, according to scientific research, is by planting trees.
This led us to sponsor the planting of indigenous trees in the local community. The project focused on the 23 households on the street block where the guesthouse is situated. With permission from each household, the trees were to be planted on the pavements in front of every house. The project was named Pavement Tree Planting Day.
We received an overwhelming response from every household, and as a result, 30 trees were sponsored for planting. Additionally, we sponsored a further 10 trees for our local primary school, Fundawazi Primary School, to plant within the school yard. It was important to choose trees that were not only indigenous but also endemic to the area. The selected trees for planting were:
• River Bushwillow (Combretum Erythrophyllum)
• White Stinkwood (Celtis Africana)
• Monkey Thorn (Senegalia Galpinii)
Each tree was accompanied by planting materials such as compost, fertilizer, and bone meal.
The planting ceremony took place on 19 October 2019 at Kgarebana Boutique Guesthouse. A practical demonstration was given on how to plant the trees and how to water and nurture them throughout their lifetime. T-shirts and information packs regarding the trees were given to all participants. After the demonstration, each household was given the trees to plant themselves on their pavements. All 30 trees were successfully planted on the day. Snacks and beverages were enjoyed by all participants at the guesthouse.
As an incentive for the households, the tree planting process was turned into a competition. The two households that looked after and nurtured their trees the best over a period of one year would receive a reward. At the time of writing, the competition was still in progress, and a registered botanist would be appointed as the judge to inspect all the trees and award points accordingly.
The winners would have been announced in October 2020 but due to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic this was not possible. It still remains within our plans to announce winners of the competition - a date will soon be announced to all stakeholders.
Based on the amazing response and willingness of every resident from the 23 households, the great cooperation from the principal (Mrs. A. Madibane) and learners of Fundawazi Primary School, and the support of our local Chief, Hon. B. J. Mahlangu, and his entourage who assisted in planting trees at the school, we believe that this project was indeed a success.
We wish to extend a special thank you to all our sponsors and volunteers who helped make this project a reality and ultimately a great success. Our hope is that in the future, this project will expand to include the beautification of the entire pavements of the Tweefontein Extension K community.
SPONSORS
• Ivan Pauw & Partners and colleagues
• B. J. M. & Sons Nursery
• Cranberry Creative Solutions
• Lesne Pauw, Hennie Pauw & Family
• Mapule and William Mzimba
• Mapeta Monnakgotla and Elton Masia
• Santie Botha and Pierre van Rooyen
• Annemarie and James van der Walt
• Loekie Erasmus and Sonja Theron
• Professor & Prikkelpop group: Joe van Rensburg and Eduard Fourie, Maryna du Plessis, Pisti Fourie, Gretchen de Smit, Harry Bielfield, Lumart and Rina Wiechers
VOLUNTEERS
• Project Manager: Nomvula Mahlangu
• Garden specialists: Gift Sandram, William Machakala, Medson Chidangwe and Bafana Mahlangu
• The Kgarebana Boutique Guesthouse team: Mpho Marothi, Angy Marothi, Katherine Mnguni, Mapule Kutumela and Sarah Letsoalo