MetroFibre Supports Kaalfontein Secondary School and E’Yako Green’s Upcycling Initiative for Nelson Mandela Day
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FNO partners with green innovation enterprise to provide essential school supplies to 197 Grade 12 learners
MetroFibre Networx reaffirmed its commitment to education and community upliftment by supporting 197 Grade 12 learners at Kaalfontein Secondary School in Thembisa as part of its Nelson Mandela Day initiatives. The fibre network operator (FNO) provided essential school supplies including backpacks, pencil cases, stationery, toiletries, and study snacks to help learners prepare for their upcoming matric examinations.
In a move that maximises both social and environmental impact, MetroFibre partnered with E’Yako Green who partners with a small black-owned factory in Johannesburg, to produce the backpacks and pencil cases from upcycled PVC banners. This innovative enterprise specialises in transforming marketing waste into functional products, creating local employment opportunities while addressing environmental sustainability. Since its establishment in 2003 and its green product offering from 2011,E’Yako Green has created hundreds of job opportunities and successfully upcycled over 180 tons of billboard waste. The company operates on a model that partners with, mentors and capacitates small businesses to become part of its supply chain, fostering economic inclusion and environmental responsibility.
“In the words of Nelson Mandela – ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ Our focus remains firmly on uplifting underserved communities through practical support and education-focused contributions,” explains Lebang Mosimanegape, Business Owner: Emerging Markets at MetroFibre.
“By equipping learners with essential school supplies, the initiative honours Nelson Mandela’s legacy of dignity, equality, and access to opportunity – one of the most impactful ways to drive positive change in our country. It forms part of our ongoing commitment to bridging the digital and opportunity divide in South Africa. We fully appreciate the transformative potential of education in driving societal progress and individual empowerment. Education equips individuals with knowledge, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving abilities, enabling them to overcome challenges, contribute to their communities, and shape a better future.”
The initiative addresses multiple objectives simultaneously, supporting academic excellence while promoting environmental sustainability and small business development. “We wanted to ensure that Grade 12 learners at Kaalfontein Secondary School have the resources and support to put their all into their upcoming matric exam preparations. At the same time, we get to support E’Yako’s innovative work in upcycling billboard materials, adding huge value in terms of sustainability of small businesses, income generation to those making up the products, and keeping these materials out of landfill sites where they can take hundreds of years to breakdown,” Lebang adds.
Makhubele Rivalani, Principal of Kaalfontein Secondary School, expressed appreciation for the partnership and outlined the school’s ambitious goals: “We’re on a mission to be the best performing school in Thembisa, and this year our mission is to achieve a 100% matric pass rate with 70% bachelor’s admission. We thoroughly appreciate MetroFibre’s contributions and investment in our learners and their futures.”
Carey Moran from E’Yako Green highlighted the educational value embedded in their products: “We hope that our products inspire the learners who receive them. It’s not just a backpack, but a window for the learners to start thinking about how they can contribute to a better environment, and how seemingly unwanted, disposable goods can be upcycled and repurposed into functional products that earns them an income or lays the foundation for a new business. That’s the kind of critical thinking we hope to impart to every recipient of our products.”
The Nelson Mandela Day initiative reflects MetroFibre’s broader commitment to social responsibility and community development, demonstrating how corporate partnerships can create meaningful change across multiple sectors while honouring the legacy of Madiba.
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