Through Sasol Oil, chemicals and energy company Sasol’s fuels marketing and sales business, R100 000 will be invested in the Nelson Mandela Bay and George areas.

This will be implemented through the company’s Friendly Neighbour initiative that will see Sasol’s retail outlets in the area take an active role in contributing to developing their communities.

The company’s Friendly Neighbour initiative positions Sasol’s retail outlets as community hubs, encouraging franchisees to form partnerships with communities surrounding the retail sites to contribute to the social upliftment of these communities.

Sasol Oil franchisees in the Port Elizabeth area partnered with the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) to implement corporate social investment initiatives. Following the official handover to beneficiaries, Sasol’s franchisees will take ownership of the various projects and serve as custodians, ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of these projects.

The funding will be allocated to projects implemented by NMMU’s Green Campus Initiative, the university’s Law Society, Campus Health, student run organisation Aiesec, the Agricultural Society and the NMMU Toastmasters student society.

Aiesec is running a six-week programme to assist Grade 12s with English, mathematics and business studies, NMMU Toastmasters is promoting literacy in primary schools and the Green Campus Initiative is supporting a recycling project in five schools.

The Agricultural Society will embark on a spinach planting initiative in KwaZakhele, Missionvale and on the NMMU campus.

The Law Society will donate much-needed equipment to the St Francis Hospice and the university’s Campus Health Services will implement a drug and alcohol awareness programme.

Sasol Oil public affairs GM Zolile Ntukwana says: “As a responsible corporate citizen, it is no longer sufficient to simply provide a product or service for our customers. At Sasol, we actively seek to uplift the lives of the people and make a difference to communities.”

NMMU student life and events manager Karen Snyman says: “We are delighted that Sasol has come on board to fund these worthy community initiatives. We always encourage our students to see where they can make a difference in the community – the generous support from Sasol will help to turn these ideas into reality to the benefit of many.”

“Globally and locally, companies are increasingly expected to behave in a socially responsible manner. We believe this investment encourages a spirit of development, which is a key factor in economic growth and the wellbeing of the community,” Ntukwana concludes.