October 12, 2018 was a great sporting day for eight schools in the region courtesy of 4Arrows, a mining and engineering company operating in the region. The scope of the activities was beyond mere staging extra curriculum commitment by the schools; but a joint approach as 4Arrows Company wanted to be part of the community involved in mitigating the infamous drugs and substance abuse within the learning environment.

While some would definitely refer to these schools as hotspots where drugs have had a miscellany of repercussions ranging from fierce learner fights, absenteeism, moral decadence where educators have been reduced to mere subjects of ridicule by their learners and unbridled gangsters terrorising the broader community, it also sought to give hope to learners that education remains the nerve centre of self empowerment in a modern society.

 Eight schools converged at Remmogo High School where the battle for the prestigious soccer trophy was fought in the true spirit of sportsmanship and was deservedly won by Baitiredi Technical School from Mothibistad while Galaletsang High scooped the netball trophy also from Mothibistad. The contestation showed epic determination from all participants, much to the delight of the sponsor, 4Arrows.

The tournament was the brainchild of a local youth, Phumulo Mapela whose idea was found already in the melting pot from chief executive officer of the company Mr Collin Tshivhase and made it come to fruition. Mapela said that gangsterism in Maruping and the surrounding villages is becoming a great nuisance hence such a tournament would factor in rehabilitating the youths mostly involved in the unwarranted behaviour.

 The human resources project coordinator from 4Arrows, Ms Jeanetta Arrangies, said that her company felt much obliged to take such an initiative where learners can meet together, engage and be made to realise that education is the nucleus of a better future in which these learners fall.

 “From our perspective it is part of our social responsibility and investment to develop the community. This has been our first direct engagement with the community and I believe everything has a beginning”, she said.

The department of education was represented by Mr Thembekile Mathambo who also coordinated the event to its entirety. Other schools that made the tournament a great success were KP Toto, Lesedi middle school, Magkolokwe middle school Batlharo Tlhaping, Rekgaratlhile and host Remmogo high school.