vulnerable Children
7 December 2007
Today, the Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, honourable Willies
Mchunu and the Absa Board, led by its chairperson, businessman Nhlanhla Gasa,
wish to announce a joint social responsibility project in terms of which 100
vulnerable children in the greater Pietermaritzburg area will be supplied with
school uniforms in the new year.
The retail banking giant has partnered with the Speaker's office and made a
donation of R50 000 to a broadbased non-governmental organisation (NGO)
coalition known as CINDI, short for Children in Distress Network. The donation
will primarily be used to buy school uniforms for vulnerable and orphaned
children, thus enabling them to start the school year on a brighter note.
CINDI was chosen because of its outstanding record in delivering innovative
community upliftment projects.
The donation to CINDI is part of the launch of Absa's flagship banking suite
in Chatterton Road, Pietermaritzburg. The suite is being officially launched
this evening. "Whenever we open a new building or branch we demonstrate our
commitment to the surrounding community by assisting some of the organisations
that run upliftment projects in that community. Today we are especially proud
to have partnered with the Speaker in his social responsibility project," said
Gasa about the donation, which was made up of contributions by various business
units in Absa as well as personal donations by Absa board members.
"The primary purpose of the Speaker's Social Responsibility Programme is to
give needy communities a 'head start' to a better life. There is no better way
to achieve our mission than through sustainable material interventions. We wish
to record our sincere gratitude to Absa, not only for extending a hand of
friendship to the poor, but for the R50 000 cash injection as well," said the
Speaker.
Mchunu added: "When we launched the Speaker's Social Responsibility
Programme in May this year, we made a call to the private sector and community
based organisation to partner with us. It is within this context that a
tripartite initiative involving the Office of the Speaker, Absa and CINDI came
into being." He said the handover was a beginning of a long and successful
partnership to a better life.
Gasa concurred, adding that the work that CINDI does is in line with Absa's
own social responsibility priorities. "We could not launch a flagship suite in
the capital of KwaZulu-Natal without making a tangible contribution to the
children of the capital. What better institution to partner with in this than
the Speaker's own office?"
The R50 000 cheque is to be handed over to representatives from CINDI at the
NGO's offices in Pietermaritzburg today.
For furthermore information, please contact:
Bhekisisa Stalin Mncube
Media Liaison Officer: KwaZulu-Natal Legislature
Cell: 073 2755 317 / 082 883 3033
Lindiwe Khuzwayo
Absa Group Communications: Manager Communications
Cell: 078 176 8536
Issued by: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government and Absa Group
Communications
7 December 2007
