by Ncaba Ntshakala
Maloma Colliery Limited has once again demonstrated its continued dedication to community development by donating over E100,000 worth of school shoes and sanitary pads to schools within the three chiefdoms it operates in which are Mngometulu, Dlamini, and Mamba.
The total sponsorship amounted to E160,000, with additional contributions of E20,000 each from Transship, Canterbury, and Nisela Farms.
These companies joined Maloma Colliery in a noble cause to support young learners, stating that they felt compelled to act after witnessing children walking to school barefoot.
Maloma Colliery has been leading this initiative for years, and its consistent support inspired these companies to come on board to help children in need.
The official launch of the Back-to-School campaign was held at Lubuli Primary School, where community leaders and company representatives gathered to celebrate this impactful initiative.
Speaking at the event, Mngometulu Community Representative Nicholas Tsela expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the community where he emphasized that such acts of generosity from companies are rare.
He highlighted that they hope this support continues and that the companies remain steadfast in their commitment to uplifting the surrounding communities.
Indvuna Yemcuba Aldonaija Mamba echoed these sentiments, stating that he was overwhelmed by the magnitude of the donation.
He acknowledged that Maloma Colliery has always been at the forefront of supporting the chiefdoms, not only through charitable initiatives but also by providing employment opportunities for local youth, who are well-compensated for their work.
Representatives from Transship and Nisela Farms also shared their joy in partnering with Maloma Colliery on this initiative.
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They made emphasis on their desire to continue contributing to community welfare. They spoke about how deeply moved they were when they saw young children enduring the hardships of attending school without proper footwear.
They emphasized that children must be given every opportunity to focus on their education without unnecessary obstacles, such as a lack of basic necessities.
Maloma Chief Operations Officer Thubelihle Sikonela took to the podium to reaffirm the company’s dedication to empowering communities.
In his address, he quoted His Majesty King Mswati III’s recent Speech from the Throne, in which the King emphasized the collective responsibility to improve learning conditions and ensure that young people have access to a brighter future.
Sikonela stated that Maloma Colliery firmly believes in this vision, recognizing education as a powerful tool for transformation.
He emphasized that the donation was not just about giving away items but about providing hope, dignity, and an opportunity for children to reach their full potential.
He further explained that the company’s contribution of school shoes, sanitary pads, and instant porridge, valued at E110,000, was part of its broader mission to ensure that no child walks to school barefoot, no young girl misses school due to a lack of hygiene products, and no student is forced to learn on an empty stomach.
He stated that Maloma Colliery’s operations are guided by its core values of agility, accountability, commitment, teamwork, and embracing change.
These principles, he explained, extend beyond the company’s mining activities to its corporate social responsibility programs, which aim to make a tangible impact on the lives of emaSwati.
Sikonela also paid tribute to the company’s Executive Chairman, Michelo Shakantu, whose leadership continues to drive Maloma Colliery towards excellence, sustainability, and meaningful community engagement.
Under his guidance, the company remains dedicated to initiatives that uplift the communities it serves.
Addressing the students in attendance, Sikonela encouraged them to walk with pride in their new shoes, pursue their education with determination, and dream big.
He described them as the future leaders, professionals, and innovators of Eswatini, urging them to seize the opportunities before them.
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He also acknowledged the dedication of parents and teachers, commending their efforts in shaping the futures of young learners.
He assured them that Maloma Colliery stands in solidarity with them to ensure that every child receives the education they deserve.
Following the event at Lubuli Primary School, the distribution continued to Qomintaba Primary School, which serves students from the Dlamini chiefdom, and Ebaleni Primary School, which falls under the Mamba chiefdom.
The donations were received by community representatives, school headteachers, and tindvuna temcuba.
In total, Maloma Colliery and the other companies purchased over 358 pairs of school shoes, ensuring that each school received 39 pairs.
Additionally, 39 boxes of sanitary pads, containing a total of 3,240 pads, were distributed evenly among the schools.