Mushiru Primary School is located in one of the driest rural areas, Mushiru village outside Thohoyandou in the former Venda in Limpopo.

As the scourge of drought continues to ravage the province, with many parts without a drop of water, the school has not been immune. The school was started in 1977 and has more than 200 learners and six educators presently.

On entering the school grounds, one is greeted by dry grounds and grass, resembling a desert.

The school is in want, but was hard hit by drought as it had no water and learners and educators had to bother a local businessman on a daily basis for water. But all this is set to end very soon, thanks to a generous donation by a giant insurance company, Old Mutual, which donated a borehole worth in excess of R20 000.

The fully functional borehole was presented to the school on Friday last week.

Addressing staff, guests, learners and community members who came to witness the occasion, the sales manager for Thohoyandou, Mr Ernest Ungulani, said donating to worthy causes has become a tradition at his company which has been going on for a long time.

He said the offices, boreholes, computers, administration blocks and fences to schools and crèches bear testimony to their continued contribution to community devel-opment. “This is our social responsibility and we will continue doing this when and where possible,” he said. He said all members of staff at his company have an amount of R20 000 each every year that they could use to empower communities of their choice in the form of projects. “I now encourage you to befriend our business advisors, present your business plans and you might be the lucky ones,” he said.

A visibly elated principal of the school, Mr Nthatheni Tshishonge, said it was dream come true for his school to have received the generous donation of water. “Water is life and without water we cannot progress. This donation will go a long way in improving the lives of learners and educators at the school and we are very grateful to Old Mutual,” he said.

Tshishonge said the school still has many challenges as they do not have a kitchen to prepare learners’ meals, no administration block and no playing grounds for learners.