He was addressing business and political guests at the Shanduka Foundation’s 10 year anniversary in Rivonia, last night.
With a fretful voice, Ramaphosa, who is also the chairman of the Foundation, reiterated more than once -that it should have made a great difference had; he paid to attention on what was going on at Lonmin.
“I totally regret what happened and not being able to see what was going on. Seeing. Touching and feeling is imperative. Things would have been different,” said Dep President, in a red-tie.
“We did not use the opportunity to help on time. Therefore, my call to mining and other companies is be in touch with your employees. ”
The chairman of the Foundation also gave a scenario that, when he was approached by his primary school in Vhenda to buy them a print machine, he only ordered that to be bought and delivered; until his secretary suggested they go together. Upon arrival the needs of school were beyond the print machine. And according to him, that’s what prompted the birth of the Adopt a School.
“The message is had I visited Lonmin, we could have averted the unfortunate bloodshed.”
Shifting focus to the evening, Ramaphosa said Shanduka Foundation was launched in 2004, when Shanduka Group made a commitment to invest R100 million on initiatives that would focus on the development of key areas in South Africa’s socio-economic development, namely education and entrepreneurship.
The celebration of the 10th year anniversary is a reflection on the impact the Foundation has had in changing the lives of people.
Today, the Shanduka Foundation is an umbrella body under which the Adopt-a- School Foundation, Kagiso Shanduka Trust, Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust, Experiential Workplace Programme and Shanduka Black Umbrellas operate.
“We believe that much of a country’s success lies in the involvement of corporate in their communities. As key players in the South African economy, we need to ensure that we make a positive impact in the communities we operate in, not only for those communities but for the overall development of our country,” says Phuti Mahanyele, CEO, Shanduka Group.
In just over 10 years, the Foundation has impacted on over 740 000 beneficiaries and has spent over R176 million.
Furthermore, it has received funding to invest a further R375 million into education and small business development.
The Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust has allowed 82 youngsters to receive tertiary education and of the 63 interns at Shanduka Group, 52 now have full time employment.
Kagiso Trust and the Free State Department of Education partnership- will result in R400 million invested in the support of 428 schools in two districts in the Free State province.
Shanduka is a Vhenda idiom meaning change!
The evening was graced by leading industry players to political icons such as Ahmed Kathrada, Joel Netshitenzhe , Jeremy Cronin, Absa boss Maria Ramos and husband Trevor Manuel, Standard Bank guru Jacko Maree, Chryl Carolus, NUM secretary general Frans Baleni, FS MEC Education Tate Makgwe, Ronnie Mamoepa and other influential business figures.
