On Nelson Mandela International Day, 18 July 2025, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, together with the Department of Basic Education, gas supplier ROMPCO and Ride4Hope, handed over a newly built and fully furnished classroom block to Boschrand Primary School in White River, Mpumalanga.
The school, which accommodates 1 850 learners, has been struggling with severe overcrowding, particularly for Grade R learners. Through ROMPCO’s sponsorship and the Classrooms4Hope initiative, the school received spacious classrooms with attached storage facilities and new furniture, a significant step towards creating a safer, more dignified learning environment.
Speaking at the handover, Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, reflected on the importance of investing in education as a way to honour Nelson Mandela’s legacy:
“Nelson Mandela once said that education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world. Today, on Mandela Day, we are not only honouring his legacy – we are living it. We are investing in the future of our children, brick by brick, book by book, and partnership by partnership. Together, we are building a South Africa where every child has the opportunity to dream, to learn, and to lead.”
For ROMPCO, the project reflects a deeper commitment to community development. CEO Mr Mlandzeni Boyce highlighted that the company’s purpose extends beyond transporting gas: “Each classroom stands as a promise of safety, dignity, and hope for a better future. Marking this handover on Mandela Day reminds us that real impact comes from listening to our communities and acting on what matters most.”
Ride4Hope Trustee, Ms Nosipho Simelane, added that the project represents a proud moment of partnership between government, civil society, and the private sector:
“This handover reflects our shared commitment to empower young learners through meaningful investment in education.”
Representing the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Trustee Mr Themba Maseko emphasised that the initiative speaks directly to the Foundation’s core mission of combating poverty and inequality through access to education:
“Access to education is one of the most effective tools we have to break intergenerational cycles of poverty. By building these classrooms, we are restoring dignity, hope, and possibility for the children of this community.”
The handover at Boschrand Primary School is a reminder of what can be achieved when partnerships are driven by shared purpose. On Mandela Day, it stands as a powerful symbol that it is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity , one classroom, one child, and one community at a time.