Celebrating Mandela Day amidst the global crisis in trusted and authentic Madiba style

Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspection and certification services, enjoys a strong ethos of actively demonstrating social responsibility by regularly supporting communities through education, technical, safety and environmental societal causes. Following on the comprehensive 2019 month-long July Mandela Month campaign, the company recently launched a 12-month corporate social responsibility program, Employees Building Communities. With the onslaught of the worldwide pandemic evoking irrevocable societal change, Bureau Veritas has been inspired to bolster and accelerate their social change projects more passionately than ever, as beneficiaries and communities are increasingly impacted.

In accordance with the spirit of International Mandela Day and mindful of Tata Madiba’s wise words “Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great, you can be that generation,” the company remains committed to ensuring the Employees Building Communities strategy actively acknowledges the all-important globally renowned International Mandela Day on 18^th July. Despite the challenging current condition, the Employees Building Communities committee aligned to society’s most critically required needs according to current social synopses which include remaining in communication with loved ones and the availability of food resources. Continuing to support beneficiaries identified in the regions in which the company employees live and work, strategic decisions were made to meet people at the heart of their needs.

Under the auspices of VP for Bureau Veritas Southern Africa, Ms Sal Govender, the company’s Human Resources team, through the leadership of Ms Beatrice Scharneck, the company will continue to make a social and economic difference by supporting various identified communities. Ntsikana Primary in Daveyton is a regular beneficiary of the Employees Building Communities strategy. In 2019, the company donated 10 laptops to the school’s computer laboratory for the 1100 learners. This year, Bureau Veritas will be donating some 800 “Feed a Family in a Jar” bottles to the school on the 17^th July. Committee members, Ms Makaira Govender, Ms Sharon Morokong, Mr Cassius Dubazana will be handing over the jars to Principal Ms Bonisa Nonkonyana for the benefit of learners and their families. These jars contain wholesome meals with cooking instructions included (see attachment). Healthy meals will help learners concentrate on their studies whilst reliving pressure of households needing to go out shopping.

Beatrice Scharneck, Human Resources District HR Manager, commented:

“More than ever, Corporate Social Responsibility and being socially ethical lie at the heart of our culture. Our role as a trusted and caring stakeholder is to inspire and create legacies for the future. We are determined to make a difference where it is most needed and we will continue to do our utmost to hold hands with our communities to make a positive difference in the lives of others during good and trying times. This is what Tata Madiba encouraged us to do, and we are delighted to be enjoying International Mandela Day in this manner once again this year.”

Bureau Veritas will also be supporting Homes of Hope, an orphanage for abused and neglected young girls, whose vision is to end child trafficking and tackling the culture of sexual exploitation, violence and criminality, by donating much-needed electronic and food provisions. With a well-established relationship between the company and the establishment, on Friday 17^th July, Mr Benjamin Borotho will be installing Wi-Fi and 20 desktop computers to ensure the girls can continue their schooling with ease during these challenging times, whilst remaining connected with friends and loved ones. This will help ease anxiety and encourage a smooth flow of communication in the Homes, whilst also encouraging computer literacy. Furthermore, five tablets are being donated by MTN, one of South Africa’s leading telecommunications, to support and assist the girls with their schooling. Mam Khanyi, the founder of Homes of Hope, will be on hand to receive the much-needed electronic equipment which heralds a great step forward in the lives of the young girls. Additionally, she will also receive generous food parcels containing nutritious and healthy products, handed over by Ms Mandy John from Bureau Veritas and thereby ensuring less reliance on shopping trips during this time.

Siyifunile Secondary School in Belfast will also receive a visit from Bureau Veritas on 17^th July where Mr Ruan Potgieter and Mr Johan Leonard from Bureau Veritas will donate some 600 “Feed a Family in a Jar” bottles to the school. Additionally, in response to the educational institution’s greatest need, they will also be donating ten 25l bottles of hand sanitizers, five 25l bottles of handwash liquid, three 25l bottles of bleach, 25 1l spray bottles and masks for the 26 staff members to ensure a healthy and safe environment for teachers and learners alike.

In the spirit of unification and paying it forward on International Mandela Day, Bureau Veritas is working hand in hand as a valued service provider to Exxaro Resources – Belfast Coal Mine. Together, the companies are living the Exxaro Resources mission, creating socio-economic excellence by building trusting relationships with stakeholders and empowering communities to positively contribute to the Emakhazeni Eco-System and Beyond.

Sal Govender, Vice-President for Bureau Veritas Southern Africa commented:

“We at Bureau Veritas will continue to pay it forward, we will continue to give back to the communities we work and live in.  Making a difference in the lives of others is part of our social fabric and we will continue to be a trusted partner of our beneficiaries and communities as we continue to be the change by creating lasting legacies for tomorrow.”

The head office for Bureau Veritas Southern Africa is based in Johannesburg; with branches in Cape Town, Centurion, Durban, and Pretoria; and laboratories in Cape Town, Centurion, Durban, Johannesburg, and Richards Bay.