Let’s face it. With the numerous Commissions of Enquiry into corruption combined with Eskom’s woes being imposed onto our nation on a daily basis, it’s easy to forget that there are still good people doing good things in our country, many of whom come from our industry sector. And we need to remind ourselves of this.
Take this story as an example. Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (SRSA), manufacturer of Dunlop, Sumitomo and Falken tyre brands, has come to the aid of 26 youngsters via the donation a 12-metre shipping container to enhance the learning and working environment at the Siyathanda Creche near Ladysmith.
The container, which was refurbished by Breadline Africa as both a classroom and a kitchen, replaces an unsafe makeshift wooden structure that was being used previously. The 26 youngsters who attend the creche daily will now have a safer environment in which to play and learn. Staff preparing meals will also be able to do so in a more hygienic and secure facility. A second refurbished container was donated to provide ablution facilities.
The official handover of the facility to school principal Nomaswazi Khubeka took place towards the end of January 2019 with SRSA factory director, Udaiyappan Ulagappan, cutting the ribbon. To celebrate, SRSA hosted a fun day for the children, their parents and the staff at the creche with a jumping castle, lunch and stationery packs provided for the children.
Commenting on the project, SRSA CEO Riaz Haffejee, says: “As a company we believe we have a role to play as a catalyst for community development, entrepreneurship and the transformation of the communities we serve.
“One of our core beliefs is that education is one of the greatest tools for change and for the eradication of poverty. Under our corporate social investment pillar of education, we are pleased to be able to offer our support to the Siyathanda Creche to make this a better space for the youngsters. This investment ties in with other initiatives that SRSA has in place with other schools in the community surrounding the Ladysmith manufacturing plant.”
The project was undertaken in partnership with Breadline Africa which focuses on providing infrastructure to support childhood development. Since 1993, Breadline Africa has placed more than 460 infrastructure units in resource-poor communities around South Africa, providing classrooms, libraries, kitchens and toilet facilities in early childhood development centres and primary schools.
“At Breadline Africa, we believe that every child has the capacity to do something phenomenal with his or her life. When imaginations are unlocked, possibilities are opened up, offering new opportunities for the future,” says Melanie Jackson, Fundraiser for Breadline Africa. “This donation by SRSA will be of great benefit to the youngsters at the Siyathanda Creche as they grow and learn and develop.”
Well done SRSA. FleetWatch salutes you on this laudable gesture.
