Kwazulu Natal, November 10, 2011

Nestlé South Africa today announced its Adopt-A- School Initiative at Mpumelelo High School in the Ngonyameni area of Loskop in Estcourt, Kwazulu Natal. Estcourt is also home to Nestlé’s Coffee and Beverages factory, which employs about 420 employees.

Mpumelelo High School was established in 2007 and strictly facilitates learning in the Sciences and Commercial streams. The school has eight classes only and the majority of its learners are from indigent families, whose parents are mostly unemployed and have no formal education.

Despite a general lack of proper facilities, the school has produced remarkable Matric results. In 2009 and 2010 the school scored a 100% pass rate, while in its first two years it scored 75% and 85%, respectively.

As part of its Adopt-A-School initiative, Nestlé South Africa will build a science laboratory, sports field, computer laboratory and a school library to ensure that the learning culture demonstrated by the school so far is maintained and nurtured.

The Adopt-A-School initiative is Nestlé South Africa’s response to recent calls by government to partner with communities towards development and directly responds to the company’s Creating Shared Value (CSV) business strategy, which states that for a business to be successful in the long term, it has to create value for communities where it operates.

“The key to resolving government’s challenges is to create meaningful partnerships with the private sector in community development projects such as this Adopt-A-School initiative,” said KwaZulu Natal MEC for Education, Senzo Mchunu.

Through this initiative, Nestlé South Africa will also respond to the community’s educational challenges and aims to bridge the gap between high schools and universities and to afford learners and teachers the opportunity to excel.

As a leading Nutrition, Health and Wellness company, Nestlé South Africa is committed to building healthy communities, hence the adoption of Mpumelelo High School. The company, furthermore, commits to rolling-out similar future projects in other provinces where Nestlé has a distinct presence.

“The plan is that where Nestlé has an operation, the model will be implemented. It may vary in terms of detail but the primary objectives will be the same – to ensure skills development and enhancing quality of life. But most importantly, it is our way of contributing towards rural development,” says Nestlé South Africa’s Ravi Pillay.