As a company that cares deeply about the communities in which it operates, Engen fuel retailers from Gauteng brought some hope and relief to the people of Diepsloot by distributing 1 000 food hampers and basic supplies, including blankets, on Friday, 17 April.

This marks the second distribution by the group in just one week, with a third planned for the end of April.

“As retailers we try our best to serve our communities, and in doing so we aim to bring some hope to those in need during the national lockdown, which has had a severe impact on many households in our country,” says Tshepo Magadla, spokesperson for Engen’s Gauteng Fuel Retailers CSI committee.

The Gauteng Engen Fuel Retailers are committed to giving back to the communities in which they do business.

In late 2019, they completed a water and classroom project at Diepsloot Secondary School No. 3, which makes provision for 65, 000 litres of fresh running water daily for nearly 3 000 learners.  

This water supply will soon also be extended to a neighbouring school to provide fresh water to another 1 000 learners. 

"Now, in the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, the school is a main source of water for the Diepsloot community, when water is most needed for the community to sanitise,” adds Magadla. 

Despite many challenges, Diepsloot Secondary School No. 3 has maintained a 100% matric pass rate over the past three years courtesy of passionate and dedicated teaching staff and learners.

It is a success achieved despite Diepsloot Senior Secondary School having no running water for its 1 200+ learners for approximately 10 years.  

“The Gauteng Engen Fuel Retailers CSI committee extends its gratitude to the school principal, school governing body and staff for assisting us with the distribution of food and basic supplies to the community during the Covid-19 lockdown,” says Magadla. 

Unathi Magida, Engen manager of Transformation and Stakeholder Engagementsays the company encourages and supports Engen fuel retailers engaging with their local communities and helping enrich lives for a sustainable future.

“We commend our dealers for their generous show of community support and social upliftment and wish the folk of Diepsloot health and safety over the lockdown and beyond,” says Magida.

Engen is South Africa’s largest petroleum company, with over 1 000 Engen service stations and various storage facilities spread across the length and breadth of the country.

This spirit of giving has catapulted Engen to the forefront of the South African consumer’s imagination, explaining the company’s enduring success in surveys like the Sunday Times Top Brands, where it has been voted South Africa’s favourite “Petrol Station” every year from 2011 to 2019 and the Sunday Times Generation Next, where the youth have voted Engen the country’s “Coolest Petroleum Brand” for 10 consecutive years (2010-2019). 

These accolades are further endorsed with Engen being recognised as the fastest growing brand in the country by Brand Finance in partnership with Brand South Africa.