Government has prioritised key initiatives around the country according to greatest need. We view these initiatives as moral obligations for which we willingly embrace responsibility. Our CSI goals make a perfect fit with the dti code of good practice for B-BBEE. With Mmela, it’s not about compliance, it’s our way of life to support initiatives that we feel gives hope to the needy and underprivileged people, schools, old-age homes, communities, and the often forgotten members of our society. Our philosophy is that it’s not just about providing funding, it’s about creating long-term, sustainable partnerships that can make a difference. To this extent, we have selected the following CSI initiatives that are close to our hearts:
Pay back to our hearts
Fred Habedi Primary School in Kwa-Thema, near Springs, holds special and personal meaning for the Managing Director of Mmela Financial Services – it was where he began his journey. To reciprocate and express sincere gratitude for the school’s effort in his formative years, Mmela provided new electronic learning aids in their science laboratory after they had once been robbed of this facility.
Education for the disabled
The Efata School for the Blind and Deaf in the Eastern Cape has been on cruise control with 100% pass rate for the last five years making it a worthy recipient of a R50 000 annual donation from Mmela Financial Services to take the children further.
Care when approaching journey’s end
In early August last year, Pieter Wessels home for the elderly in Nigel, a non-racial sanctuary, suffered a catastrophic fire, leaving a number of residents dead and the remainder virtually homeless. Mmela Financial Services were very proud to be numbered amongst those who rallied around this home, donating R10 000 and monitoring the process of reconstruction with a view to further assist as, and when needed
Where Grace and Hope truly goes the distance
As with all our efforts concerning re-investment in social upliftment, the Grace and Hope School in Seshego, by catering exclusively for learners with disabilities, has been identified as having the ‘greatest need’ for our attention. Children with disabilities have massive engines in their hearts, always revved-up to prove their true potential. The alignment with Government policy has prompted us to reserve a R100 000 donation for this institution, whilst maintaining a watchful eye concerning the needs of its pupils.
All passengers on board
Mmela will never hit the brakes when it comes to uplifting the community, which is why we endeavour to donate clothing, groceries, toys and many more items to a centre called PUSH (Persevere Until Something Happens), based in Eldorado Park. This centre is an orphanage home for children with HIV/AIDS and those who are homeless. The facility houses more than 200. On the day we parked the donation in PUSH’s driveway, we were also able to celebrate all the children’s birthdays during August 2011.
Our hands – firmly on the wheel
43% of Mmela Financial Services shares are held by Mmela Rural Trust. The significance of this ‘High Court-formalised’ ownership is the forward-motion force felt by the community (with emphasis on women) of Bloedfontein, in Mpumalanga. We’ve become partners with the people of this community, establishing crèches and donating essential provisions, creating feeding schemes and initiating Early Child Learning Development and Youth Development programmes.
We Travel the Road Together
Time is the most precious commodity that any person can give. Our staff voluntarily identify projects and regularly support these important initiatives. At Mmela, we utilise the past to better tomorrow, keeping South Africa by our side, every step of the way on the path to finding a fairer future for all.