Home Fleetwatch 2022 Engen supports six schools – and our truck drivers

Engen supports six schools – and our truck drivers

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P.R. Pather Secondary School received six desktop computers for the Library Room. Seen here at the handover are, from left: Guy Watkins, director UIC; P.R Pather acting principal Mrs Sipahli and Yusuf Vawda; and Engen's Dr James Nyawera.
P.R. Pather Secondary School received six desktop computers for the Library Room. Seen here at the handover are, from left: Guy Watkins, director UIC; P.R Pather acting principal Mrs Sipahli and Yusuf Vawda; and Engen's Dr James Nyawera.

This story is not a focussed trucking story but in the sea of bad news that seems to dominate South Africa today, FleetWatch always welcomes and pays tribute to the good deeds done by companies in or associated with the trucking industry.

In this case, we once again applaud Engen which joined forces with Engen Marine Terminal (formerly Engen Refinery) contractors to enhance the learning environments of six Secondary Schools in Merebank and Wentworth, all identified as in need of support by the Community-Engen Joint Committee. 

This week saw thousands of children return to – or start – their school year and recognizing the importance of a conducive educational setting, the collaboration aimed to provide much-needed improvements to the chosen schools, addressing maintenance issues and supplying essential equipment.

The participating schools – Fairvale Senior Secondary, Umbilo Senior Secondary, Wentworth Senior Secondary, Ganges Senior Secondary, Merebank Senior Secondary, and P.R. Pather Senior Secondary – were identified based on their urgent needs with principals of the schools highlighting how insufficient funding forces them to seek external support for crucial expenses.

One significant challenge faced by the schools was learners’ inability to pay school fees, often a result of parents’ being unemployed, or being reliant on government support. 

Umbilo Secondary School received two new JoJo tanks with pumps installed. The school also received six desktop computers for the Media Centre. School fees for two matriculants were also covered.
Umbilo Secondary School received two new JoJo tanks with pumps installed. The school also received six desktop computers for the Media Centre. School fees for two matriculants were also covered.

As part of the joint initiative, Engen and partners also helped alleviate the burden for 11 Matric learners, ensuring that they could focus on their final year of High School without financial constraints.

Gavin Smith, Engen’s External Communications Manager, commented: “We are grateful to our committed Engen Marine Terminal contractors, including Worley, TMS, Fabricon, and UIC, for their contributions of time and resources in completing the renovation work at these six schools. We firmly believe that these upgrades will play a small role in enhancing the learning environment for the learners, paving the way for a brighter future.”

The project encompassed various improvements tailored to each school’s specific needs. Check this out….

Fairvale Secondary School Initiatives included resetting the gate motor battery in the Motor Mechanic Workshop, securing workshop windows with mesh and financially supporting the school fees for two matriculants.

Umbilo Secondary School – Received two JoJo Tanks and two Pumps, with plans for the upcoming installation of two air conditioners in the Media Centre. Additionally, the project procured six desktop computers for the Media Centre and covered school fees for two matriculants.

Wentworth Secondary School – Benefited from a pump connection to the JoJo Tank, ensuring a reliable water supply to toilets. The project also involved the replacement of 12 fire extinguishers and financial support for the school fees of two matriculants.

Ganges Secondary School – Improvements included the replacement of the Engen Maths & Science Sign Board, securing water pipes and wooden beams along the walkway and procuring a data projector. Additionally, two pumps were installed in the JoJo Tanks and financial assistance was provided for the school fees of two matriculants.

Merebank Secondary School – Improvements such as the connection of a water pump to the municipality line for toilet water supply, replacement of 15 classroom fans and the replacement of a class B5 door and frame. The project also contributed to the payment of school fees for one matriculant.

Wentworth Secondary School benefitted from a pump connection to the JoJo Tank thus ensuring a reliable water supply to the pupil’s toilets. The project also involved the replacement of 12 fire extinguishers. Ganges Secondary School also received a JoJo tank with a pump installed.
Wentworth Secondary School benefitted from a pump connection to the JoJo Tank thus ensuring a reliable water supply to the pupil’s toilets. The project also involved the replacement of 12 fire extinguishers. Ganges Secondary School also received a JoJo tank with a pump installed.

P.R. Pather Secondary SchoolEnhancements included the procurement of six desktop computers for the Library Room, painting the office area, replacing six outside taps with plastic taps and procuring five soccer balls. Financial support was extended for the school fees of two matriculants.

The overall project, with a combined funding value of R550 000 from Engen, TMS, Worley, UIC, and Fabricon, showcases a commitment to grassroots education and skills development.

Smith says the future of our country rests in the quality of education that we provide our youth, which is why Engen is actively involved in making a positive difference. 

“This project contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals specifically SDG 4 – ensuring the right to quality education through basic needs by enabling learners to focus on their studies and attend school with dignity,” says Smith, adding that this is a further testament to Engen’s dedication to creating opportunities for underprivileged students to realize their potential through education.”

FleetWatch applauds Engen on this initiative for the kids attending these schools will one-day enter the jobs market and hopefully, some of them will choose the many offerings in the trucking industry – or the wider supply chain sector – as their chosen career paths. By enabling learners to focus on their studies and attend school with dignity – as Smith states – will ensure better learning experiences and therefore better outcomes. It certainly does pave the way a brighter future.

Truck Driver Wellness

For those of you who might have missed it and more directly focussed on the tucking sector, during last year’s October Transport Month, Engen conducted its annual Driver Wellness programme where 1 188 truck driver screenings took place at 20 locations across seven provinces in South Africa. The project was undertaken in collaboration with Trucking Wellness, an initiative of the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI).

Screenings were conducted by qualified nurses and counsellors and included blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, malaria, TB and STI screenings, as well as BMI (Body Mass Index), and HIV/AIDS testing. Additionally, Trucking Wellness provided support for the treatment, care, and management of primary healthcare issues identified during the screenings.

In alignment with the commitment to safer roads, Engen collaborated with key stakeholders in the transport industry, including MAN, Hollard Trucking and Guud, all joining forces with Engen to promote driver wellness. The Shayela bus from the Guud program visited participating sites, offering assistance to drivers with their Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) documentation and optometry check-ups.

In collaboration with Trucking Wellness, Engen conducted its annual Driver Wellness programme during Transport Month last October and upon completion of the screenings, truck drivers were presented with complimentary toiletry bags as a gesture of appreciation. Over 11 88 screenings took place.
In collaboration with Trucking Wellness, Engen conducted its annual Driver Wellness programme during Transport Month last October and upon completion of the screenings, truck drivers were presented with complimentary toiletry bags as a gesture of appreciation. Over 11 88 screenings took place.

Commenting on the rationale behind this project, Engen’s Commercial Marketing and Business Development Manager, Adnaan Emeran says: “Engen’s relationship with the transport fraternity stretches back many decades and we have enormous respect for an industry that is a crucial cog in helping to keep the wheels of South Africa’s economy turning.

“Truck drivers are the true heroes on our highways. Given the long hours many truck drivers spend on the road, hauling cargo across the African continent and the stresses associated with the job, we believe that interventions such as Engen Driver Wellness provides a critical pillar of support in making a difference to both fleet owners and truck operators.”

So once again, its hats off to Engen. And no, Engen has not paid for this FleetWatch accolade. It deserves the accolades for the good work it does beyond its core business.