There were many smiling faces and great anticipation at the Forte Secondary School in Dobsonville, Soweto on 7 August 2024 when a newly refurbished science laboratory sponsored by Bell Equipment under the auspices of the South African Medical and Education Foundation (SAME Foundation) was officially taken into use.

Bell Equipment, South Africa’s world-renowned manufacturer of mining, construction, and agricultural equipment had, through its Socio-Economic Development (SED) initiative, committed to getting involved in the project when it was approached by the SAME Foundation during a Mandela Day event, painting a school in Gauteng in 2023.

SAME Foundation is a non-profit organisation which raises funds and manages socio-economic development allocations to improve the health and education environment in South Africa. The Foundation boasts a track-record of completing well over 150 high-impact projects in the last 20 years, investing hundreds of millions of Rand and positively influencing millions of South Africans. Its sole aim is to improve healthcare and educational facilities in poverty-stricken communities.

“We as a foundation were heartened when Bell Equipment showed its eagerness to become involved in this very worthwhile project at the Forte Secondary School,” says Tyrone Pols, spokesperson for the SAME Foundation. “The science laboratory at this school was in a dilapidated state and with Bell Equipment’s generous funding, we could oversee the replacement of the floor, ceiling, windows, doors and security gate as well as several coats of durable paint.

“We could then order new laboratory benches, stools and cupboards before new laboratory equipment applicable to the curriculum was acquired. Advanced technology has been added with a touch-screen white board and digital projector.”

Speaking during the function to mark the unveiling of the refurbished laboratory, Bruce Ndlela, Bell Equipment’s Director: Business and Public Sector Development, urged the learners to set their personal education goals high and reminded them that no goal was too high to attain. “We as Bell Equipment employ around 4 000 people world-wide and, as we’ve assisted in the refurbishment and equipping of many similar laboratories and centres of learning in South Africa, it shows that we believe in our youth and the potential that they show,” he said.

All the work to refurbish the laboratory was completed during an eight-week period spanning April and May 2024. Bell Equipment’s donation covered the entire construction, fixtures and equipment expenses.

The Forte Secondary School fulfils a vitally important role of educating 2 400 learners from Grade 8 to 12.