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LEADING TYRE MANUFACTURER DONATES CLOSE TO R100K FOR R67 FOR MANDELA CAMPAIGN

"Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (PTY) LTD (SRSA), manufacturer of the popular Dunlop, Falken and Sumitomo Tyres brands, came out in full support of the R67 for Mandela campaign which set out to assist hardworking and underfunded students to complete their studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. "

The tyre manufacturing giant – which has its headquarters at the Lion Match Office Park – donated a whopping R97 867.00 – or R67.00 from each of its 1 461 employees.

Spearheaded by UKZN and East Coast Radio, the campaign’s call for donations of R67.00 represented the 67 years that Mandela fought for social justice.

SRSA Chief Executive Officer Riaz Haffejee, said: “Education is a key pillar in our CSI strategy, and as a KZN based company we felt compelled to make a contribution to this great cause. We believe that education is the greatest weapon of change and a tool to eradicate poverty. In the words of the late Nelson Mandela, “The power of education extends beyond the development of skills we need for economic success. It can contribute to nation-building and reconciliation”.

Haffejee said that a number of the UKZN students supported through the campaign could go on to pursue fulfilling careers that would help to shape the future of industry in KZN and South Africa.

SRSA’s other education-focused initiatives include a tutorship progamme that provides stationery packs and tutoring in Mathematics and Physics to learners at Steadville High School and Bhekintuthuko High School in Ladysmith, where SRSA’s manufacturing plant is located. SRSA also recently held its inaugural Sumitomo Rubber South Africa Career Day at the two schools, through which approximately 2000 learners benefitted from career and study information and presentations.

Through the Tyres Can Do More initiative the company has also installed outdoor play gyms at various Ladysmith crèches to develop young children’s co-ordination and gross motor skills and encourage outdoor play at eight local pre-schools.