Education
Projects

A Milestone Moment in Education and Community Empowerment!

On 15 August 2025, the Kao community celebrated a historic moment, the handover of Shishila ECCD Preschool from Storm Mountain Diamonds (SMD), Kao Mine to the local community

This new facility marks a significant achievement in youth development and education in the region.

The ceremony, held in Kao Lihloahloeng, was graced by distinguished guests, including the Honourable Minister of Education and Training, Professor Ntoi Rapapa, the Botha Bothe District Administrator, the Motete MP Representative, the Principal Chief of Botha Bothe, and other local dignitaries.

The newly constructed preschool is fully fenced and features two classrooms, toilets for both teachers and pupils, a storeroom, and a playground with outdoor play structures such as swings, slides, seesaws etc. all built on community land. The preschool was established in 2010 and has been fully funded by the mine since its inception, with the mine providing a building for the classrooms on mine property, paying the salaries of the 2 instructors and funding all school activities resulting in parents not paying fees from 2010 to date - a rare opportunity for families in the area.

Since 2010, 315 children have graduated from the preschool, with 56 pupils enrolled for 2025. This investment in education is part of SMD’s broader Youth Development Program, focused on skills development, formal education, and sports, which ensures that the mine leaves a legacy beyond its Life of Mine.

This handover represents a powerful partnership between government, community, and corporate partners, setting the stage for a brighter future for the children of Kao.