Seriti mining renders massive donations for disadvantaged VUT students
Seriti mining renders massive donations for disadvantaged VUT students
By Thato Phalole 03 August 2021
Reception of the donated goods to VUT
On Thursday, 22 July 2021, the Vaal University of Technology’s (VUT) Welfare Residence Management welcomed a donation from the Seriti Mining Company in response to a plea for disadvantaged and unfunded students. The residence Welfare Manager, Ms. Faith Tebogo Mocoancoeng contacted the company as part of her role to take heed of student’s basic needs.
Seriti approved the sponsorship to provide basic toiletries such as toothpaste, soap, tissue paper and sanitary towels for female students as well as disposable masks to name a few items. The sponsorship amounted to the value of R89 000 in support of the Victim Empowerment Centre which was launched by the MEC of Community Safety; Ms. Faith Mazibuko in November 2020. Seriti mining was one of the companies that pledged to assist the Center with the required supplies.
The Victim Empowerment Centre which deals with students’ psychosocial challenges has just been renovated and the office furniture paid for by the office of the MEC, was delivered on Monday, 19 July. Plans to kick start the programme are underway. Volunteers, social workers, Student Representative Council (SRC) and residence students have been identified, screened, and most importantly trained to execute their designated roles within the Centre. The Center has been earmarked to support VUT students at large as an effort to have a wider reach.
VUT is the first institution to establish a Victim Empowerment Centre supported by Ms. Kediemetse Mokotsi: Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Mr. Joseph Radebe, VUT Social Cohesion Advocate and Acting Director: Community Engagement along with stakeholders such as Mr. Kele from the Sedibeng Municipality.
Women and substance abuse and the many cases of abortions led to the birth of the Victim Empowerment Centre with interventions directed to assist with the well-being of students at VUT.