Two decommissioned shipping containers were recently converted into Grade R classrooms and handed to the Agter-Witzenberg farm community outside Ceres in the Western Cape.

This forms part of an initiative to support early childhood education in rural South Africa following a partnership between shipping line Safmarine and fruit exporter, Capespan, a Safmarine customer for more than 30 years.

Two years ago the two companies identified the need to provide the Agter-Witzenberg community with a facility that would give parents working on fruit farms in the area the peace of mind that their young pre-school children were receiving the necessary educational support and care.

Dirk Hoffman, Safmarine Southern Africa Cluster Manager, said at the handover to the community: “Safmarine shares your passion for developing this community by investing in the education of your children and it is our honour and our privilege to contribute towards a facility which will be used to nurture young minds.

“Education is without a doubt one of the most effective ways to alleviate poverty, unemployment and achieve social and economic equity in South Africa and we encourage you to continue your commitment to educating your youth.”

Ansonette van der Merwe, Capespan Foundation Manager,  added :”The Capespan Foundation is committed to investing in corporate social development initiatives which not only provide an environment suitable for alleviating social challenges in our communities, but which also offer solutions which integrate the needs of all community stakeholders in fruit production.”

The two 12 metre reefer (refrigerated) containers were converted into classrooms with the help of Cool Maintenance and award-winning industrial designer and architect, Y Tsai of Tsai Design Studio.

The two new classrooms – which were officially opened at the end of March 2013 – are able to accommodate approximately 40 pre-school children.

Safmarine, which pioneered the use of shipping containers for social upliftment purposes 21 years ago, has a proud heritage of using its award-winning Containers-in-the-Community programme to support education and community development in South Africa.