Ray Smuts
CHANCES ARE that many in Sohanguwe will never be fortunate enough to glimpse the sea, let alone step aboard a ship, but they readily identify with Safmarine as it works quietly to bring about meaningful change for the less privileged
people of South Africa.
It's all about social investment, specifically Safmarine's awareness that it has a responsibility to put something back into the community - even though it may not form part of the shipping line's everyday business.
To date, the company has initiated close on 300 projects by donating 6 000 containers and providing finance for needy projects while also being involved in many similar joint ventures with other companies and institutions.
Now, in an entirely new departure, Safmarine is scrutinising its 5 000-strong client base to identify which may be prepared to co-operate on projects ahead.
Our strategy for the future, says Amanda Petersen, community affairs manager, is to be pro-active as well as reactive by bringing the programme closer to our customers and involving them in joint ventures for the betterment of communities.
A container is not a pretty object but a little ingenuity can work wonders, as Lawhill House, a triple-storey residence for maritime students at Simon's Town High School, shows.
Currently on the drawing board is another ambitious project - a joint venture with the Cape Metropolitan Council - a 24-container 'one-stop shop' to provide health care and other social services for Cape Town's street people. This project will aim at encouraging them to return to their communities rather than roam the streets.
Copyright Now Media (Pty) Ltd
No article may be reproduced without the written permission of the editor
To respond to this article send your email to joyo@nowmedia.co.za
