Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf) invited its community stakeholders to the manufacturing plant in Port Elizabeth before its year end shut-down.
Isuzu’s projects and beneficiaries, which include the Isuzu Chair in Mechatronics at the Nelson Mandela University, the Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Centre, Gift of the Givers, Missionvale Care Centre, the Community Chest Eastern Cape and Indalo World, presented their success stories and projects of 2019 to IMSAf’s leadership team, after which they toured the production plant.
According to Gishma Johnson, Isuzu’s Corporate Communications Manager, the company’s corporate social responsibility focuses on three core areas which include education and skills development, environmental management and natural disaster relief support.
“Each of these organisations that we support address a shortcoming or challenge in our community,” said, Johnson, “Our aim is to make a sustainable difference in the areas where our projects are rolled out.”
The Chair in Mechatronics provides assistance to manufacturing-related development and problem solving at Isuzu, as well as at local automotive suppliers. Through research and innovation, the Chair in Mechatronics facilitates co-operation between industry and academia with the aim to enhance human capital development in the automotive sector.
The Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Centre at the Nelson Mandela University on the other hand addresses the poor mathematics and physical science learner performance. The institute has developed an innovative offline technology based tool to improve mathematics teaching and learning in disadvantaged schools.
Isuzu’s support to the Missionvale Care Centre extends to mathematics tuition at the Normoyle Primary School which is based at the centre, while funding to the Community Chest enables the organisation to provide assistance to the indigent.
Meanwhile disaster relief organisation, Gift of the Givers is able to deliver water from boreholes to communities in drought-stricken areas with the assistance of Isuzu water tank trucks and bakkies.
On the environmental front Indalo World ensures sustainable social change by turning waste into building materials. Indalo World social architect, Kevin Kimwelle, has successfully built pre-schools and other structures from waste materials which he obtains from Isuzu. He has also built a waste-bike, which is used by a 76-year old Walmer Township resident to transport waste to a recycling depot in exchange for food.
Johnson said the partnership with these organisations promise to provide sustainable solutions that alleviate the socio-economic ills which affect vulnerable communities. “Recognising our impact on the community and the environment forms an integral part of our vision,” she said.
Image: From left are Gishma Johnson from Isuzu, Badr Kazi, Director, Gift of the Givers, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, Founder, Gift of the Givers, Professor, Werner Olivier, Director Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Centre, Professor Igor Gorlach, Isuzu Chair in Mechatronics, Ali Sablay, National Coordinator, Gift of the Givers, Colette Theron, PRO, Community Chest, Natalie Wood, Mathematics Project Leader, Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Centre, Nadia Le Roux, Secretary, Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Centre, Selwyn Willis, CEO, Community Chest Eastern Cape and Kevin Kimwelle, Founder, Indalo World.