Refinery outreach helps South Durban NGOs

SAPREF Refinery announced investments of about R1.5-million in its surrounding communities on Tuesday, 2 December, through 10 community initiatives.

At a prestigious gathering, Sapref managing director, Ton Wielers, handed over much-needed equipment to local organisations from the Bluff, Wentworth, Yellowwood Park and other areas.

The hand-over forms part of the petrol giant’s campaigns around World Aids Day, World Disability Day and 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence and was initiated through the Sapref community liaison forum. “These projects are aimed at uplifting social services and improving the quality of life for Sapref’s neighbours,” said Wielers.

Shepherds Keep on the Bluff was given necessities to enable the continued care of orphaned children. For the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (Crow), Sapref provided sponsorship for its wildlife and environmental protection training programmes for pupils. “Sapref is a big sponsor of our education programme and with their assistance we have been able to educate 8,000 children this year. We are grateful to them for their help,” said Crow director, Claire Hodgkinson.

Twenty-eight Wentworth Early Childhood Development Forum teachers were given vital first aid training and were presented with their certificates in a congratulatory ceremony.

Sapref has set up four community resource centres in Wentworth, Umlazi, Lamontville and Isipingo to serve as information hubs for the community through internet cafés, information on health and educational services, homework assistance and practical skill lessons.

Durban South Skills Development was presented with equipment to provide educational training for people with disabilities. A Hyundai multi-cab with a hydraulic lifting and lowering device was given to Food for Life to enable the transport of food to South Durban schools.

“As NGOs our heart is in serving the community and we are grateful when the private sector supports the work we do,” said chairman of Food for Life, Viresh Panday.

A second vehicle, a Toyota Quantum, was given to Maskey Health Services for the transportation of caregivers and patients to and from healthcare facilities in Umlazi.

And finally, educational aids went to House of David in Isipingo, basketball gear was given to Peace Players International and school uniforms were presented to Siza Community Crèche.

“Each of the beneficiary organisations work selflessly to attend to the needs of the community and I salute them for the work they do. I am struck by their enthusiasm and it feels great to be able to help these people who work so hard,” said Wielers.

Dumisani Xaba, acting deputy director-general of the department of social development, thanked Sapref for its commitment to its neighbours. “I honestly do not believe any other company operating in the Durban South community has done as much as Sapref. As government, we appreciate these initiatives because we have witnessed the difference they make in the lives of our people. They not only create an environment conducive for better teaching and learning, but they also infuse a sense of hope in a community that really needs hope,” said Xaba.