Workmen loading much needed furniture at Independent Media's offices in Greyville, Durban
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In a meaningful gesture of support to underprivileged learners, Survé Philanthropies, the charitable foundation established by Dr Iqbal Survé, has donated high-quality classroom furniture to 36 schools across KwaZulu-Natal.
The donation was part of the foundation’s broader commitment to education, equality, and community upliftment.
The furniture, which includes desks, chairs, and storage units, was repurposed following a recent reorganisation of Independent Media’s KZN office space.
Fikile Ngubande, the principal of Dukemini Primary School. with Sameera Kareem/ Independent Media's CSI manager and project coordinator
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Independent Media, a company within the Sekunjalo Group, ensured that the quality furniture was redirected to where it could have the most impact—in the hands of learners in under-resourced schools.
Many of these schools have faced chronic infrastructure challenges, with learners often forced to share desks or sit on the floor, which hinders their ability to learn in a safe and dignified environment.
This latest intervention addressed those critical gaps while demonstrating how responsible repurposing can create lasting value for communities, in this instance, under-resourced schools across the province were the beneficiaries.
This comes at a time when the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education is grappling with significant challenges, including infrastructure shortages and delayed payments for Grade R educators.
Educators across the beneficiary schools expressed heartfelt gratitude.
Dwana Dlamini, deputy principal of Reservoir Hills Primary School, home to over 1,100 learners, said:
“This donation is timely and deeply appreciated. What Independent Media has done for us and many other schools is a challenge to others in the private sector to do the same. Our children deserve an environment that supports their growth.”
Fikile Ngubane, principal of Dukemini Primary School in KwaMashu, added: “We thank Survé Philanthropies and the Sekunjalo Group for caring about education. It means a lot to see that companies still invest in the future of our children.”
Dr Iqbal Survé, in an opinion piece published earlier this year, wrote: “Every chapter of my journey—from the struggles of activism and healing into medicine, to the leap into entrepreneurship and the strategic acquisition of a media company—has been driven by a deep belief that our actions can spark a movement for change.
"The true measure of our efforts lies in the lasting impact we make in our communities.”
A spokesperson for Survé Philanthropies concluded: “This initiative represents our deep belief that education is one of the most powerful tools to unlock potential. By placing these resources directly into classrooms, we aim to restore dignity to learners and help them thrive.”
DAILY NEWS
Anand Reddhi , the principal at Northview Primary School. is with Sushie Munsamy, Independent Media's CSI assistant
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