Sasol, in partnership with its Retail Convenience Centre (RCC) Sasol Marlboro Gardens in Sandton, Johannesburg has provided financial support valued at R190 000 to 6 registered Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) under the banner of its Friendly Neighbour social impact initiative.
Sasol’s Friendly Neighbour concept is a social impact initiative designed to uplift fenceline communities around Sasol’s RCCs in collaboration with franchise owners. This initiative focused on Alexandra as the township is in proximity of Sasol’s headquarters in Sandton. Our commitment to society is to contribute to positive social change in the lives of people where we operate, and this partnership is one of many that honours that commitment.
During December last year, Sasol ran a time-bound call for funding campaign in Alexandra where registered NPOs were invited to submit funding proposals. This initiative was largely driven through Alex FM, a local community radio station serving the community of Alexandra. Funding proposals were requested for support in the fields of Nutrition, Mental Health, Gender Based Violence (GBV) or Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), HIV/AIDS, and Disability.
It is almost two years since the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact has been dire with mental health being unprecedented in scale. During this period, Gender-based violence (GBV) or violence against women and girls (VAWG) also increased. Similarly, the most vulnerable of society, persons living with disabilities are always bearing the brunt. The complexities people with disabilities face are not always top of mind and therefore enable barriers for social inclusion. With all these challenges, Sasol wanted to engage, amongst others, NGOs that aim to address most of these issues.
According to Palesa Mokaba, Vice-President of Marketing: Sasol Energy Business, Sasol is a force for good in its communities and partners with community organisations to drive meaningful and sustainable change.
Said Mokaba: “Many businesses and households have been hit hard by the social and financial instability as well as implications of the global pandemic, with some families struggling just to put bread on the table to survive. At the forefront in supporting these families are NPOs who have seen a drastic decline in donations while their services are more in demand than ever. These partnerships that we concluded in Alexandra allow community organisations to stretch their resources further to support their communities.”
The 6 community-based organisations that received funding are:
- Phuthaditjhaba Old Age and Disabled Care, which serves vulnerable groups including the elderly and the disabled in Alexandra. The centre operates a satellite clinic, library, a community boardroom, community hall and support the community through a funded soup kitchen. The centre received a grant of R30 000 from Sasol.
- Rays of Hope provides support to vulnerable children through education and work readiness programmes. The centre also provides counselling and support to the victims of GBV. Sasol donated R30 000 to the centre.
- Refilwe le Gae is a home for abandoned children from 0 to 16 years. They provide children with accommodation, daily meals, clothing, personal care and other individual needs. Most of the children are enrolled at government or special schools and colleges and Refilwe le Gae provides transport for learners to attend. The home received a cash donation of R30 000 from Sasol.
- Agisanang Domestic Abuse Prevention and Training (ADAPT) provides education, nutrition, research, advocacy and lobbying, and community safety support. The organisation also provides training of officials within various disciplines for abused women and vulnerable girl children. They provide support services to the victims of domestic abuse. They received financial support to the value of R40 000.
- Alexandra Township Mobility Training for the Blind provides independence training for the blind and partially sighted people. The centre received R30 000.
- Ububele Educational & Psychotherapy received a cash donation of R30 000 from Sasol. The organisation serves the Alexandra community through development programmes for children and youth with Mental Health and Learning Challenges. They also focus on improving the emotional development and wellbeing of children under 7, their parents and other caregivers.
“Thank you very much to Sasol for the pleasant surprise, the timing of the grant is perfect as we are already running low on the food parcels for the GBV programme” said Bertha Maringi, Senior Social Worker and Manager of the Vulnerable from Rays of Hope. “The arrival of the grant means continued support for the beneficiaries”, said Maringi.
