Mahindra South Africa has initiated a social responsibility program in conjunction with Rotary South Africa to light up the lives of less fortunate matric pupils.
The program involves the donation of a solar power and battery-operated lamp, as well as a pencil bag with stationary, to ensure that matric students from disadvantaged communities have adequate light by which to study after dark.
“This will assist students to study effectively both day and night in order to achieve their education objectives, and to acquire vital skills and knowledge,” says Sanjoy Gupta, chief executive officer of Mahindra SA (MSA).
The company will supply some 5 000 lamps and pencil bags to matric pupils at selected schools countrywide. MSA’s logistics supplier Savino del Bene has taken on the mammoth task of transporting this important cargo to the various handover points.
The handover of the lamps and pencil bags will be facilitated by Mahindra’s national dealer network, together with Rotary SA clubs in each area. The campaign, which kicks off in late February, is aligned with Mahindra’s ethos and values.
“Our driving purpose is epitomised by the word ‘Rise’. It’s a call to action, a commitment to assisting communities to advance, and to drive positive change,” Sanjoy added.
“Education is at the very core of nation building, and it is vitally important that all young people are given every opportunity to study towards a career, and a future,” Sanjoy said. “By supplying meaningful assistance, we believe that Mahindra SA and its dealers can make a very real difference.”
Commenting on behalf of Rotary SA, the organisation’s Past District Governor, Greg Stathacopoulos, said the support of the initiative by Mahindra SA was invaluable.
“We depend heavily on the contributions of corporates to implement meaningful projects such as this, and Mahindra SA’s assistance is a shining example of how companies can improve the lives of disadvantaged South Africans.”
