Johannesburg - Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) has announced a long-term partnership with the Ekukhanyeni Relief Project, south of Johannesburg, continuing the company’s commitment to combating the socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS in vulnerable communities in South Africa. The pioneering project supports over 450 orphaned, abandoned and abused pre-school children in impoverished communities south of Johannesburg through a network of eight crèches, empowering community members with a holistic programme that trains them in permaculture and early childhood development.

The partnership between the two organisations, initiated in May 2009 with an initial investment from MBSA, will be marked during an official launch event on Friday 29 January in Lawley attended by senior government and community representatives. Dr. Hansgeorg Niefer, President and CEO of MBSA says, “For twenty years now, we have remained focused on the fight against HIV/Aids in our workplace and our communities, maintaining a high level of intervention and support in both employee and external projects. We are now proud to count Ekukhanyeni among our flagship commitments, pledging our ongoing support to a project that addresses a vital community need.”

“As government, as businesses, as a nation we must step in and work together to take care of our children and support effective projects like Ekukhanyeni. It requires responsibility, accountability and action,” says Niefer. “The fate of many children in South Africa remains extremely desperate, and there is much to be done.”
In line with the focus of MBSA’s social responsibility strategy, Ekukhanyeni takes a holistic approach to HIV/Aids, education, food security and job creation. MBSA’s social upliftment initiatives place particular emphasis on better health and developing self-sufficient communities, safeguarding the future of South Africa’s less privileged and more vulnerable. “We don’t just build cars, we build communities,” says Niefer.

Liza Rossi, Ekukhanyeni Relief Project Executive Director, says that the project is worthy of attention as a sustainable, replicable initiative that successfully addresses early childhood development and food security. “Ekukhanyeni is not based on a ‘handout’ philosophy, but strives to empower community members with practical skills and knowledge aimed at addressing the impact of the HIV/Aids crisis in these communities.”

Known as Action Kids, the early childhood development programme takes an integrated approach to child care through interactive activities designed to improve fine and gross motor skills. Trained care-givers and community members supervise activities while providing training for the house mothers. With this year’s investment from MBSA, further equipment will be purchased and the intake of children increased.

A community resource centre built by Ekukhanyeni currently provides 200 children with nutrient-rich vegetables on a daily basis and supplies six of the crèches in the project with herb and vegetable seedlings for their own gardens. Principals and care-givers from these crèches have received training in nutrition and cooking skills. The project also runs ten-day intensive courses in permaculture design, plant-based healthcare and sustainable farming practices for community members.

Rossi says that the Ekukhanyeni permaculture programme has been so successful in addressing food security, that plans are afoot to replicate this model in other communities. “With Mercedes-Benz’s contribution we have been able to upgrade our greenhouses and purchase necessary equipment and plants, improving our garden infrastructure for further expansion,” says Rossi.

Dr. Niefer says that MBSA has been impressed with the measurable improvements in the mental, social and emotional wellbeing of the children in this area. “We are confident that Ekukhanyeni will continue to have a major impact in these communities and they have our full support. We look forward to watching the project grow as we advance the battle against HIV/Aids together.”