The donations from Ndaa Foundation and Minopex
By Staff Reporter
Minopex and Ndaa Foundation bring hope to Alexandra and Tembisa learners with Youth Day donation to struggling school
Gauteng — In a powerful gesture of solidarity and support during South Africa’s Youth Month, Minopex, in partnership with the Ndaa Foundation, donated essential learning tools to Wendywood High School which mainly serves underprivileged learners from Alexandra and Tembisa. The event, held on 13 June ahead of the public Youth Day holiday, was not just a corporate outreach — it was a reminder of the unfinished work in South Africa’s education system.
A School in Crisis
Wendywood High School, in Gauteng, serves as a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity. Over 96% of its learners are Black, and about 80% come from historically disadvantaged townships such as Alexandra and Tembisa. The school has been plagued by years of financial mismanagement, particularly under a former principal who misappropriated school funds, leaving it in a fragile state with limited resources for students.
Despite these setbacks, learners remain determined. Many in the 2024 matric class have had to borrow calculators to write key examinations — a stark illustration of inequality in access to basic educational tools.
Mrs Pillay, the Acting Principal currently steering the institution, is reportedly working under extreme pressure to restore the school’s credibility and improve conditions. Despite her absence at the donation event, her continued efforts received recognition.
June 16: A Historic Reminder
The donation took place just days before South Africa commemorated Youth Day on 16 June — a day that honours the bravery of students who, in 1976, protested against apartheid-era education policies. This year’s theme, “Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future,”, resonates deeply with the challenges and aspirations of today’s learners.
Addressing the gathering, Lucas Ngobeni, Senior Vice President of Operations at Minopex, connected the moment to the broader historical context of the importance of Youth Day.
“It’s really an honour to be here today, especially when on Monday the whole of South Africa will be honouring brave students of 16 June 1976,” he said. “South Africa will be recommitting itself to building a future in which every young person can thrive and lead.”
Ngobeni emphasised that education is not only a tool for personal advancement but also a means of community transformation.
“As Minopex, we believe in making a tangible difference in the communities where we operate. Education is a powerful tool for transformation, and when we heard about the challenges facing this school, we knew we had to act,” said Ngobeni. “Donating calculators is just a start — it’s about restoring hope and giving these learners a fair chance at a better future.”
Ngobeni also underscored the power of science and technology in changing lives.
“We see daily how maths and science unlock safer operations, innovative solutions and greener technologies. However, he also highlighted how the absence of these skills can hinder opportunities.
“So when you do science, you must know that you already have a door that is open, especially in our country.”
From Shebeens to Science Labs
Kenny Hlaise, Chairperson of the Ndaa Foundation, used his address to reflect critically on how Youth Day is often misrepresented or commercialised by younger generations.
“The point was that we are going to celebrate the day at a shebeen in school uniform, which is a negative example and disrespect for those who died for us,” said Hlaise. “This year’s theme is ‘Skills for a Changing World – Empowering Youth for Meaningful Economic Participation’. That’s why we went to donate calculators. It’s a small instrument, but it’s valuable.”
The Ndaa Foundation, which served as Minopex’s CSI (Corporate Social Investment) implementation partner for the event, also included sanitary towels in their donation — a recognition of the multiple barriers that disproportionately affect female learners.
“Our focus is not just on academic tools but also on dignity. No learner should miss school because of something as basic as menstrual hygiene,” Hlaise added.
More Than Just a Donation
The outreach effort was not only symbolic but also a clear call to action for increased private sector involvement in public education, particularly in historically underserved communities. In addition to Hlaise and Ngobeni, the event acknowledged key educational staff, including Mrs Rabolele, the head of mathematics, and Mr Kenny, a representative of the Ndaa Foundation.
“We hope our donation of essential learning tools — including calculators for the 2024 matriculants — will have a meaningful impact on the students’ ability to prepare for and write their final exams with dignity and confidence,” said Ngobeni.
Lasting Impact
Both learners and teachers expressed their gratitude for the donation, highlighting how a simple tool like a scientific calculator could significantly improve a student’s chances from a disadvantaged background.
The event also served as a blueprint for what meaningful corporate-community partnerships can look like when guided by empathy, accountability, and strategic intent.
As South Africa continues to grapple with educational inequality, this Youth Month initiative highlights what can be achieved when action replaces rhetoric.
“This is not the end,” said Ngobeni. “It’s the beginning of a partnership rooted in hope and powered by the belief that every child, no matter where they come from, deserves a chance to succeed.”
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