Kendal, Mpumalanga, Steinmüller Africa's Kendal Power Station team has been recognised at the Eskom Managers Awards 2025 as a key player in Corporate Social Investment (CSI), earning praise for a community-focused approach that prioritises listening to local schools and responding with practical, high-impact support.

The recognition celebrates a partnership-driven model that has seen the team step away from daily operations to visit neighbouring schools, identify critical needs, and deliver resources ranging from printers and textbooks to food parcels for disadvantaged learners.

From school visits to meaningful action

"It is an honour to partner with Eskom to explore ways we can support local communities," said Nsovo Maswanganyi, Site Manager at Steinmüller Africa Kendal Power Station. "Our team takes the initiative to visit nearby schools and understand their needs firsthand. We often discover that schools lack essential resources like textbooks, forcing educators to print pages for learners. Schools ask us for printers, learning materials, and food parcels, and we turn those needs into meaningful CSI initiatives that make a tangible difference."

Handover days that inspire

For Maswanganyi and the Kendal team, the most memorable moments come on handover day. "Schools arrange events with children performing, warm interactions 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.[KH1] "

Why CSI matters in power generation communities

The Kendal team operates in an environment 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," Maswanganyi explained. "Many communities are also affected by emissions. That is why it is important to give back, to support and empower them so they can go to universities, return in managerial roles, and improve these local communities."

Teamwork in action

The success of the programme depends on 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 teamwork," said Maswanganyi. "What I really admire 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."

Partnership amplifies impact

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 efforts 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."

What's next: 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."

Responsible citizenship in action

The recognition reinforces Steinmüller 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 simply receiving an award," Maswanganyi concluded. "It represents the true spirit of Steinmüller Africa. It honours the dedication, care, and collaboration that define the Steinmüller Africa Kendal team and our drive to make a meaningful impact beyond our daily work."

 [KH1]Suggesting pluralising this sentence as we’ve spoken about multiple schools, etc