Mercedes-Benz South Africa has distributed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) items to its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) beneficiaries located in the Eastern Cape.
More than 15 000 learners in 24 schools will benefit from the distribution of COVID-19 essential items.
On 22 June, at an event hosted at Wongalethu High School in Mdantsane, East London, MBSA handed over approximately 2 000 packs containing COVID-19 PPE to learners in Grades 7 and 12.
“The manufacturing of hand sanitisers from our manufacturing plant and the procurement of essential items for the donation and distribution to our CSR beneficiary schools is yet another way in which MBSA is showing its continued support in the fight against the coronavirus," said Commenting on the handover, CEO of MBSA and Executive Director: Manufacturing, Andreas Engling said:
"As MBSA, we believe in making a difference by focusing our socially responsive efforts in the communities in which we operate. The handover of the essentials PPE today is an extension of the company’s focus on education and its support for the wellbeing, health and safety of its communities.”
The essentials packs contain a supply of facemasks, 500ml bottle of hand sanitiser produced with great precision from the MBSA Paintshop, 100ml tubs of aqueous cream and COVID-19 educational material.
The distribution is part of the handovers scheduled to take place from 22-25 June and will reach 15 000 learners in eight Rally to Read Primary Schools, 15 STEP schools (9 primary and 6 high schools) and 143 learners who attend the African Angels Independent School.
“As MBSA we continue to challenge ourselves to find ways to inhibit further contagion of COVID-19. As a responsible corporate citizen, we recognise the importance of supporting the communities in which we operate and will deploy our history of manufacturing excellence to safeguard the health and safety of the people of the Eastern Cape during this pandemic,” concluded Engling.
In May, following a declaration that the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality is a COVID-19 hotspot, MBSA pledged its support to the Eastern Cape Provincial Government with the manufacturing and supply of 3D printed recyclable plastic face shields and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) breathing aid devices, which are pending regulatory approval.