Tongaat-Hulett helps aids orphans

4 November 2004

The Tongaat-Hulett Group has entered into a funding partnership with NOAH, an NGO that mobilises communities to nurture AIDS orphans by helping them grow into emotionally and psychologically stable adults. The partnership involves the establishment of two multi-resource centres and sports facilities in KwaZulu-Natal.;

Tongaat-Hulett will be contributing more than half a million rand over two years towards these projects as part of the Group’s commitment to making a sustainable impact on society. “These initiatives typically take the form of upliftment projects in the Southern African region, particularly in historically disadvantaged communities where our people live, and where we operate,” said Kenneth Mshengu who is responsible for Corporate Social Investment at Tongaat-Hulett.

Plans for building the first centre at Shakashead in Umhlali are already ahead of schedule. Through voluntary work from the community and donations from experts in the building industry, the land where the centre will be constructed has been prepared and the foundation built. The Group has donated an initial R300 000 to cover Shakashead’s building costs this year.;

“We are happy to make a contribution towards helping those who can hardly help themselves. This is one of the many ways Tongaat-Hulett makes a contribution towards nation-building in areas within which we operate,” said Mshengu. “The Group places special emphasis on helping those who are historically disadvantaged and the partnership with NOAH will make it possible for AIDS orphans to live a life they deserve.”

Noah for Khanya Africa is the other centre to be built with funding from the Group. This centre will be situated in Pietermaritzburg, where NOAH has already been feeding over 100 children. The resource centre will offer computer literacy training, education support through audio-visual material and other services. NOAH for Khanya Africa will be up and running before the end of next year.;

Mshengu said that the Group wide team responsible for corporate social initiatives has a comprehensive social investment plan that is focused on education, health, community skills upliftment, welfare, environment and crime prevention. The commitment to NOAH follows one of Tongaat-Hulett’s other HIV/AIDS projects at Sukumawenze, a place of care that looks after terminally ill patients. The Group financed the construction of Sukumawenze, which means stand up and do something for yourself, through a Tongaat-based BEE company. Run by Sister Mary-Anne Mkhize, Sukumawenze fulfils its mission with compassion and dignity in Inanda, near Durban.

Elliot Nkosi, Graeme Leitch, Omilla Laucten (Leitch Landscapes);;
Menanteau Serfontein, Kenneth Mshengu (Tongaat-Hulett); Cutter Nkosi,;
Dr Greg Ash (Noah Orphans); Martin Mohale (Tongaat-Hulett).