Kansanshi Mining Plc has gifted five schools in Solwezi with twenty-five bicycles in its continued effort to promote cycling in the district.
The recipients of the brand-new mountain bicycles are Makole, Mushitala, Solwezi Urban, St. Charles, and St. Mary’s Schools in the district.
Kansanshi Mining Plc Public Relations Manager, Godfrey Msiska, said the mountain bike donation was privileged to pupils as a way of promoting the cycling sport in schools.
“This handover of bicycles is part of a broader project, which is a partnership requiring the active participation of the mine, the teachers, and the students who will receive the bicycles,” said Mr. Msiska.
Mr. Msiska said Kansanshi Mine has increased its investment in various sporting clubs and infrastructure around Solwezi because of the responsible management of the resources made available to the different sports disciplines, and diligent participation by the coaches and sportsmen involved.
He advised the recipients of the 25 bicycles to care for them as this would encourage the mine to invest even more money in this sport in the future. The Solwezi Schools Cycling Programme is a welcome development, as it helps to keep the youth fit.
“As you cycle around Solwezi in your bright green helmets, you will be recognized by everyone as Kansanshi Mine representatives of this programme, and as your coaches teach you to follow traffic rules, and to be responsible cyclists, you are learning to be good ambassadors” he advised.
Solwezi Urban Primary and Secondary School head teacher Aaron Miti noted that the mountain bike donation by Kansanshi Mine was an incredibly generous gesture, which was appreciated by all the five schools which received the bicycles.
Mr. Miti was grateful to Kansanshi Mine for promoting cycling as a sporting activity outside the academic domain, to give back to those in need in the local communities, and to prepare many students to be professional cyclists.
“We are so proud of Kansanshi for preparing our students to become competitive cyclists, who will be able to travel extensively and make a decent living out of the skills inculcated into them by the organizers of the programme,” said Mr. Miti.
Additionally, St. Charles Special School Head teacher Mrs. Caren Nzala thanked Kansanshi Mining Plc for funding various sporting activities in the province for many years.
She also described the giant copper mine as being a good partner devoted to the provision of social services in the community.
