BIC celebrates Mandela month with essential stationery for underprivileged learners in Shoshanguve

In celebration of Nelson Mandela's legacy, this month BIC brought essential writing tools to St. Francis Primary School in Soshanguve in partnership with Pick n Pay School Club.

The Department of Education’s Tshwane North district adopted St. Francis Primary School in Circuit 2 for Mandela Day. While it is commemorated on July 18, Mandela Day is a global movement to support those in need. For the month of July, a culture of generosity and compassion is promoted across the country in line with Madiba’s values and humanitarian efforts.

Lillian Henderson, Marketing Director Southern and Eastern Africa at BIC, said,

“BIC is honoured to join Pick n Pay School Club in supporting the over 800 underprivileged learners at St. Francis Primary School. Our goal is to provide students with the necessary writing tools and resources they need to help them succeed academically. This is at the heart of our nationwide education initiative, Buy a Pen, Donate a Pen, which has resulted in the donation of over 15 million necessary writing tools to students across South Africa since 2012.”

Dorrianne Mahlangu, Pick and Pay School Club’s School Liaison Officer, said:

“We are delighted to have partnered with several organisations to commemorate Nelson Mandela and all that he stood for. Educators and students were ecstatic to receive essential items to help enhance their learning environment and journey including hygiene packs, warm soup, writing tools, and treats from Pick n Pay Mams Mall. Our collaboration with like-minded partners in the country is a testament to the commitment of the key players in the industry to education and the community.”

BIC's mascot, BIC Boy, joined the celebration and distributed over 1,800 pens to learners and educators. His funky dance moves had the learners cheering and the donation of pens and supplies gave the school's dedicated staff and enthusiastic students a much-needed boost. As learners arrived hungry for knowledge and a nutritious meal facilitated by The Department of Education, Blue Ribbon and GLAD, BIC was ready to make their day even brighter.

BIC believes the pen is not just a tool; it's a gateway to imagination, knowledge, and endless possibilities for children and adults alike. While Buy a Pen, Donate a Pen is BIC’s flagship education initiative in the country, the company runs a series of initiatives throughout the year focused on education. Last year, BIC launched a programme focused on raising awareness around the high school dropout rate in the country. Based on the finding that one of the main reasons behind school dropout rate is the lack of resources, BIC continues to provide learners with the necessary writing tools and invites like-minded individuals and organizations to provide students with the necessary resources to help keep them in school.