Bus shelters for farm children Looking ahead, the Kendal team is working on a bus shelter project to protect children who walk long distances from farms to catch the school bus, particularly during the rainy season. “We are waiting for the municipality to grant us permission to install bus shelters in identified areas,” said Maswanganyi. “These kids often walk long distances to reach the road, and it’s especially hard during the rainy season. The shelters will help protect them from bad weather and make their journey a little easier.” Recognition by Eskom reinforces Stein- müller Africa’s commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen, supporting education, empowering future generations and contributing to national development goals through measurable, community-led action. “This achievement goes beyond sim- ply receiving an award,” Maswanganyi concluded. “It represents the true spirit of Steinmüller Africa. It honours the dedica- tion, care and collaboration that define the Steinmüller Africa Kendal team and our drive to make a meaningful impact beyond our daily work.” https://www.bilfinger.com/en/za
the collective effort of site employees, who routinely volunteer to help distribute food parcels, often including 100 bags of maize, each weighing 50 kilograms. “It’s hard work that needs good team- work,” said Maswanganyi. “What I really ad- mire is how site employees work together. They lift, carry, and organise everything with care and cooperation. Their support for each other makes the job easier and shows how strong their sense of community is. It’s inspiring to see how united and willing they are to lend a hand.” The collaboration with Eskom Kendal has been instrumental in scaling the team’s CSI efforts from ad hoc initiatives into a coordinated, sustainable programme. “Working together with Eskom Kendal has helped us turn community support from Steinmüller Africa’s separate ef- forts into a well-planned and powerful programme,” Maswanganyi noted. “This partnership makes a real difference for local people and brings value to the company. It highlights a strong relationship built on mutual trust, shared purpose, and a deep commitment to uplifting communities together, a relationship that goes beyond day-to-day operations.”
with children performing, warm interac- tions with educators, and opportunities for us to speak directly to learners. We witness their determination and spirit despite the lack of resources. Seeing how well they’re doing under challenging circumstances is truly inspiring. The gratitude expressed by the schools touches us deeply and reminds us why our CSI efforts matter. These are moments that stay with us.” The Kendal team operates in an environ- ment where industrial activity directly affects surrounding communities, many of whom live on farms near the power station and face limited economic mobility. “You will find hardly any local people in managerial positions at power stations; most are doing the hard labour,” Maswan- ganyi explained. “Many communities are also affected by emissions. That is why it is important to give back, to support and em- power them so they can go to universities, return in managerial roles, and improve these local communities.” Why CSI matters in power generation communities Teamwork in action The success of the programme depends on
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March-April 2026
AFRICAN FUSION
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