Sasol and Joburg City Parks uphold Mandela’s legacy

Date

18 July, 2013

Making a difference beyond Mandela Day, Sasol and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) employees joined forces and descended on Nancefield Primary School and the Don Mattera School for the differently abled in Eldorado Park to make a difference to those students

Two food gardens have been created to supplement Nancefield Primary School’s feeding scheme and exterior improvements were made to the school building. The food gardens, managed in accordance with City Parks’ practices, will be maintained by the students.

It is estimated that typical water losses in municipalities vary between 30% and 45%, due to leaks. To address the school’s sanitation challenge, broken plumbing fixtures, leaking taps and toilets were also repaired in line with Sasol’s stewardship initiative, Sasol Water Sense.

Maurice Radebe, Group Executive, Public Affairs at Sasol said, “Today, we uphold the values of Nelson Mandela, through volunteering and community service. Sasol strives to promote people-centred, needs-driven and sustainable development of communities that will continue long after Mandela Day.”

“Our school depends on the assistance from public and private sector and we are grateful to Sasol and City Parks for their support. Through these initiatives, they have restored the dignity of the students, who will now have access to basic facilities. This is just the start and we will continue to build on this success with the improvement of the school hall as our next priority,” said Mr Fransman, Principal of Nancefield Primary School.

To address the Don Mattera School’s need, Sasol employees planted trees, which were donated by City Parks. The school, established in 1996, has 250 learners with intellectual impairments and provides them with skills that will enable them to make a living

“Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) are ecstatic about its partnership with private sector companies such as Sasol, who have a long history of supporting environmental programmes in the City of Joburg,” said the MMC for Community Development, Councillor Chris Vondo.

He added, “The Sasol partnership highlights the importance of Nelson Mandela Day to address disparities and make a tangible difference in the lives of children that are marginalised in low-income areas.” Vondo reinforced that greening projects acted as a catalyst to build self-esteem and civic ownership, and urged the private sector to adopt eco-education initiatives in the City of Joburg.

Sasol Business Units embrace Mandela Day

According to Radebe, “Madiba will forever be remembered for his humility, empathy and struggle for freedom. Mandela Day is a way in which the world can unite and each individual can be a change agent for a sustainable future. In light of this, Sasol employees both locally and abroad participated in various other Mandel Day initiatives.”

Sasol Synfuels International (SSI) supported the Sunlight Safe House in Johannesburg, where they collected items that were on the organisation’s wish list. Sasol Technology initiated a winter drive for a local organisation.

Implementing the Sasol Group’s initiatives in Secunda, food gardens were planted at Shapeve, Lifalethu and Thorisong Primary Schools, located in Embalenhle Township – conducted in partnership with the Govan Mbeki Municipality and Rand Water.

Employees at Sasol Oil in Randburg, spent their 67 minutes at the SPCA and donated R50 000. Sasol franchisees also played their part and donated R5 000 to local organisations and Sasol Oil matched the contribution.

Other organisations that benefitted from Sasol’s Mandela Day initiatives included the Avril Elizabeth Home for the mentally handicapped in Germiston, the Highway Hospice in Durban and New Beginnings in Pretoria, amongst others.


Nancefield pupils being taught how to save water	Sasol Exco planting trees at the Nancefield Primary School

Nancefield pupils received Sasol gifts packs