BILLY RAUTENBACH'S GREEN FUEL INVESTS INTO EDUCATION IN CHISUMBANJE AND SURROUNDS
Spirits were high at Checheche High School as students and
teachers celebrated the launch and handover of the Green Fuel Science Laboratory on Tuesday 6 December. The science lab was built and funded by Green Fuel (Pvt) Ltd, at a cost in excess of US$50,000, as part of its CSR iniƟaƟve to give children in the surrounding communiƟes the opportunity to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and MathemaƟcs) related subjects and eventually careers. Speaking on behalf of Green Fuel, Ms Merit Rumema (Green Fuel's Community RelaƟons Manager) said the company does not hesitate to invest in educaƟon as it is a worthwhile investment. “As a company, the three main areas of our Corporate Social Responsibility
are educaƟon, sustainable development and social equity. We realise that invesƟng in educaƟon yields good well rounded ciƟzens who can contribute to the country's development.” She
added that Mr. Billy Rautenbach, the founder of Green Fuel has very strong views when it comes to adding value to the educaƟon of children from the surrounding communiƟes surrounding, as seen by his conƟnuous support of Green Fuel's bursary schemes and sports development in schools in the area.
Speaking at the same occasion, Deputy Provincial EducaƟon Director, Mr. Richard Gabaza said government applauds work done by development partners to upliŌ all sectors of society. “Today I am very grateful to Green Fuel and its Directors, for being an all weather friend to the schools in this district. I am aware that in the ongoing
construcƟon of school blocks in this area, the company has lent its hand in various ways.” He further explained that this kind of partnership with government iniƟaƟves is in line with the second republic's vision of Zimbabwe
aƩaining an upper middle class economy by 2030. Chipinge South is home to
renowned academics mostly in the social sciences and commercial sector. The construcƟon of the state of the art Science Laboratory
will afford students from Mahenye, Chisumbanje, Checheche,
Chinyamukwakwa and places as far as Chisuma and Mabee an opportunity to pursue pure
sciences and careers in the field, such as medicine and engineering among others. With the steady growth of GreenFuel, there was
excitement and hope that the company will in the near future employ experts from the local community.
Hon. Enock Porusingazi, the Member of Parliament for Chipinge South ConsƟtuency expressed his graƟtude to the Ministry of EducaƟon and Green Fuel for developing a solid
partnership that conƟnues to go from strength to strength. He said Checheche High School is the only High School that is located in the urban area of the consƟtuency, and as such is a first preference for development partners who are all contribuƟng to turning the school into a first class learning academy. He noted how the recent construcƟon of a girls' boarding facility, and the science laboratory will go a long way in ensuring that the girl child is protected and
afforded an opportunity to learn in an affordable and safe
environment as the catchment area for the school is very wide. The handover ceremony was aƩended by various stakeholders
including the Chipinge Rural District Council, who are the Responsible Authority for the school, as well as the District Development Coordinator. All
speakers encouraged students to study hard, and join the biggest company in the area, so that they can work from home and develop home. Billy Rautenbach's
GreenFuel is the largest employer in the area, with a workforce of close to 3 000 people during peak producƟon season. The company has also immensely ploughed back to the community through several community-based iniƟaƟves. The R am angw ana Rakajeka Bursary scheme supports 111 students from Primary school through to University. 1460 families have benefited from the small scale irrigaƟon plots developed and
maintained by the company, and are supported with water,
electricity, and technical support for viable and sustainable farming throughout the year. Other projects being run by the company include the local producƟon of personal protecƟve clothing, organic honey, reusable sanitary pads, aquaculture and poultry
rearing.
In line with its vision, the majority of the Green Fuel's projects are centred around business, sustainable farming pracƟces, training and educaƟon. Green Fuel encourages projects and principles that will conƟnue toexist well into the future and impact generaƟons to come.