In honour of Nelson Mandela International Day, Engen and Vivo Energy employees dedicated their 67 minutes of service to helping combat poverty and inequality, demonstrating the power of collective action to make a meaningful difference in vulnerable communities.
Guided by this year’s Mandela Day theme, “It’s Still in Our Hands to Combat Poverty and Inequality,” employee volunteers rolled up their sleeves across four regions to support community organisations through practical acts of service and initiatives aimed at addressing food insecurity, dignity and community wellbeing.
As part of the day’s activities, employees partnered with SA Harvest to pack 50 Start Strong Buckets per region, producing 200 nutritious food buckets for vulnerable families. The completed buckets were donated to selected beneficiary organisations to help provide essential food support to vulnerable families. The initiative forms part of Engen’s broader partnership with SA Harvest, which supports food rescue operations by providing fuel for the organisation’s refrigerated transport fleet, helping surplus food reach communities where it is needed most.
Alongside the SA Harvest initiative, employees participated in hands-on community projects tailored to the needs of beneficiary organisations in each region.
In Cape Town, 50 toiletry packs containing essential personal care items were donated to residents of Ikhaya Labantu, a care facility for frail and disabled people in Langa. The packs helped promote dignity, health and wellbeing while supporting the organisation’s ongoing efforts to care for its residents.
In Gauteng, Tembisa Child Welfare received essential personal care items to support the daily hygiene needs of children in its care, helping to strengthen the home’s ongoing care programmes while contributing to improved health and wellbeing.
In South Durban, essential personal care items were donated to St. Monica’s Children’s Home, helping to meet the daily hygiene needs of the children in its care. Springbok rugby player and Engen ambassador Vincent Koch joined employee volunteers, assisting with packing activities and writing messages of hope and encouragement for the children.
In Gqeberha, Engen partnered with the Mark Headbush Foundation to support the revitalisation of the community food garden at Motherwell Home for the Aged. The company donated a JoJo water tank and gardening equipment to improve water security and strengthen the garden’s long-term sustainability, helping increase the production of fresh vegetables, improve food security and create a sustainable source of income.
The initiative forms part of Engen’s Employee Volunteerism Programme, which encourages employees to actively support the communities in which the company operates. Beyond providing immediate assistance, the programme strengthens a culture of compassion, teamwork and shared purpose among employees.
“Mandela Day reminds us of Madiba’s commitment to humanity and his belief in the power of collective action to bring about positive change,” says Olwethu Mdabula, Engen’s CSI Manager.
“While 67 minutes may seem like a small investment of time, when hundreds of people come together with a shared purpose, the impact is significant. Whether through volunteering our time, supporting our community partners or helping to strengthen food security, every contribution makes a difference. We are incredibly proud of our employees for embracing the spirit of Mandela Day and demonstrating that when people come together, they can create lasting change.”
“Mandela Day is far more than a commemorative occasion. It is a call to action,” adds Mdabula. “It reminds us that each of us has a role to play in building a more caring and equitable society. By answering this year’s call to combat poverty and inequality, our employees have honoured Madiba’s legacy through service, compassion and hope.
“As a brand we are committed to enriching lives for a sustainable future and creating meaningful, long-term impact through partnerships and community initiatives that uplift South Africans”.
Engen is a Vivo Energy brand.
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