THENGWE - South Africa's power supplier, Eskom, has showed its power and concern about the future of this country, by supporting learners at Thengwe Secondary School.

Thengwe is one of the eighteen best performing rural schools supported by Eskom in the country.

The company has donated six computers, 2 video machines, 2 television sets, 200 desks, and 150 chairs. It has also employed two teachers, whom they pay a monthly salary each, for their services in teaching mathematics, science and technology at the school.

The relationship between Eskom and Thengwe started last year when they donated science equipment, video cassettes and mathematics and science textbooks. Thengwe, which has had a good pass record for matriculants in the past years, registered a 95% pass rate in matric last year.

In his address during the official launching of the project at the school last week, the principal, Nkhangweni Nemudzivhadi, said their partnership with Eskom has helped to make their job easy at the school. The school also received R50 000 from MTN. The money was used to buy science equipment.

The other companies that are helping the school are KPMG and Price Waterhouse Coopers.

The school has 1 500 registered pupils, plus forty-one teachers. Because of good matric results, the school admitted more than 300 grade eight learners from different areas of Venda.

This has led to a shortage of classrooms. However, Eskom has pledged to provide roofing for the four classrooms donated by parents and Protech. Thembi Buthelezi, a representative from Eskom, said the company feels proud to be in partnership with a dedicated school of Thengwe school's caliber, rated one of the best in the province.

Eskom provided R18 million to help in upgrading rural schools to improve in mathematics, science and technology in the country. "My company is committing itself to help wherever there is a need, especially in science and mathematics. We also take pupils to winter schools for free."

Thengwe was established in 1965, and has since produced many people who are holding senior positions in different spheres of life today. One of the former principals of Thengwe, Masotsha Mathivha, now the regional director of education, said he was proud that the school continued doing well. On behalf of the MEC for Education, Ms Joyce Mashamba, Mr M Mukhavhuli thanked the stakeholders for their commitment to improving the school, the community and the country.