From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.

Sashnee Moodley:

Real estate investment trust Attacq has partnered with nonprofit organisation Sage Foundation to build and renovate classrooms at the Phuthumani Primary School, in Thembisa. Marleny Arnoldi attended the launch.

Marleny Arnoldi:

The partners are building three new classrooms and refurbishing ten existing classrooms at the school. 

Attacq, through its corporate social investment initiative Attacq Foundation, is focused on empowering young people through education.

The Phutumani Primary School has since its founding in 1899 been an anchor in the Thembisa community and caters to 1 366 learners through 40 educators.

Attacq already had an “adoption” agreement in place with Phuthumani Primary since August last year, which saw the property developer developing two classrooms and donating 230 pairs of school shoes and 100 pairs of training shoes to learners.

This time around, Attacq and Sage will launch a measurement and evaluation programme to report on the impact of its initiatives after three years.

Attacq CEO Jackie van Niekerk shares how the partnership with the school and Sage came about, and the importance of measuring outcome.

Attacq CEO Jackie van Niekerk

Marleny Arnoldi:

In a separate set of commitments, Sage plans to support the school through learner and teacher development programmes, and through the donation of 196 tablet devices for use by Grade 5 learners through to their progression to Grade 7.

Attacq confirms that the classroom builds do not mark the end of the road for the partnership between itself and the school once construction is completed, as Attacq remains committed to making a valuable contribution to the empowerment of South Africa’s youth, and particularly Phuthumani Primary.

Attacq social executive Janine Palm tells us more about how the school’s values align with those of Attacq

Attacq social executive Janine Palm,

Sashnee Moodley:

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy.