11 May 2023
Maritzburg College’s grade 12 Business Studies students, supported by the grade 10 and 11 boys, hosted The Street Store on The Terraces at College on Wednesday, bringing joy to a group of 75 residents from the Jika Joe informal settlement, who were the beneficiaries of a corporate social responsibility initiative.
Staff member Memory Ngcobo liaised with the Shack Dwellers’ Association to arrange for the large group to be brought to College where they were treated to a shopping experience, all of which cost them not a single cent.
Shopping and morning tea
Ten gazebos housed a wide variety of clothing items from which the visitors were able to select what they liked. They were also offered a morning tea of doughnuts and Coca-Colas. Smiles abounded.
College Head Boy Sasha Kadira was one of the Business Studies students helping the visitors from Jika Joe. He said he enjoyed taking learning outside of the classroom. He continued: “We are learning that a business is not just about making a profit. It’s also about making a difference in your community. If more businesses and more schools were to help their communities, it would be beneficial to everyone.”
“Heart-warming”
The Head of Maritzburg College’s Business Studies Department, Omar Kajee, told Pinnacle Schools the exercise was very rewarding: “It really was heart-warming to see how we were unable to change the lives of these individuals entirely but, at least on one day, we gave them the honour and dignity of actually going to a retail store, choosing items that they like, instead of getting dumped on donations, and taking them.
“It also gave our boys a very good perspective of the business, not only making a profit but caring for the community, as well. The reputations that businesses get from these types of initiatives is really well documented in terms of success.”
He also took a moment to reflect on why it was necessary to be socially responsible. “It is a harsh reality in terms of the South African context,” Kajee said. “Our country is filled with unemployment, poverty, and people are unable to satisfy their basic needs. So, I’m happy that College, and in particular the Business Studies Department – academic staff, as well as the boys – actually contributed successfully to this initiative.”
He further indicated that he would like The Street Store to become an annual initiative for the Business Studies Department, likely in the second or third terms.
“Very excited”
Pinky Ngcobo from the Shack Dwellers’ Association helped organise the group that visited College. “We were very happy [to receive the invitation],” she said. “We were very excited because most of us are not working.”
Education
The Business Studies teachers judged the boys’ stalls, which made up 10 marks out of 50 for their term two presentations.
Teacher Zandria Elder explained: “We put them into groups, from various classes. We marked them on the donations that they brought. So, they all had to bring something to donate to The Street Store.
“We marked them on how they worked together as a team. Also, on how The Street Store looked. As you can see, they were set up in different ways. We also marked them on how they interacted with the shack dwellers.
“The boys really bought into it. They were very excited. I think just seeing the happy faces of the customers makes one realize how grateful we should be and how blessed we are.”
“A fantastic initiative”
Describing The Street Store as “a fantastic initiative”, Elder said it tied into the topic of Corporate Social Responsibility, but also touched on many of the other topics that feature in the Business Studies syllabus.
She said she appreciated the opportunity to deliver a practical learning experience. “This is an active way of learning, which is fantastic for the boys. It’s something different that they’ll always remember.”
It wasn’t just a nice change for the boys, she added: “It is lovely to be out here and actually see them outside the classroom environment. I think we also get to learn a lot about boys outside of the classroom, and about how they interact with other people.”
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