Mahindra to supply stationery to needy S.African scholars

Johannesburg, Feb 22: Mahindra South Africa, a subsidiary of the Indian automobile company, has initiated a social responsibility program in the country to assist thousands of students in their final year of schooling.

The programme, planned in conjunction with Rotary South Africa, involves the donation of a solar power and battery- operated lamp together with stationery to ensure that meritorious students from disadvantaged communities have adequate light to study after dark.

"This will assist students to study effectively during day and night in order to achieve their education objectives, and to acquire vital skills and knowledge," said Sanjoy Gupta, chief executive officer of Mahindra South Africa (MSA), a fully-owned subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra of India, which was established in 1945.

The company will supply 5,000 lamps and stationery bags to matric-level students at selected schools countrywide. The handover will be facilitated by Mahindra's national dealer network, together with Rotary South Africa clubs in each area.

"Our driving purpose is epitomised by the word 'Rise'. It's a call to action, a commitment to assisting communities to advance, and to drive positive change," Gupta said, as he explained that the campaign, which kicks off in late February, is aligned with Mahindra's ethos and values.

"Education is at the very core of nation building, and it is vitally important that all young people are given every opportunity to study towards a career, and a future," Gupta added. "By supplying meaningful assistance, we believe that Mahindra SA and its dealers can make a very real difference."

Commenting on behalf of Rotary SA, the organisation's Past District Governor, Greg Stathacopoulos, said the support of the initiative by Mahindra SA was invaluable.

"We depend heavily on the contributions of corporates to implement meaningful projects such as this, and Mahindra SA's assistance is a shining example of how companies can improve the lives of disadvantaged South Africans," Stathacopoulos said.

PTI