The donation of 37 wheelchairs to victims of the recent Tongaat Tornado, together with 100 sets of school uniforms to local school children, has seen Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone turn its commitment to empowering local communities into action this Mandela Day (July 18, 2024).
Community Support Through Wheelchair Donations
Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone has established itself as a cornerstone of development in KwaZulu-Natal, attracting manufacturing investment, creating jobs, and generating numerous opportunities for communities along the KZN North Coast. In line with its commitment to fostering growth, Dube TradePort has implemented several initiatives aimed at empowering various communities.
Michael Mdlala Matola, Chairperson of Voice of Communities Ministries, expressed gratitude for Dube TradePort’s support: “We would like to thank Dube TradePort for the wheelchairs on this Mandela Day. This help comes after some of our members were affected by the recent tornado. Their wheelchairs were damaged, and as a result, they found it difficult to get around.”
Through collaborating with Voice of Community Ministries, KZN Society for the Blind, and Disabled People South Africa, Dube TradePort has donated 37 wheelchairs this year alone. These donations have significantly helped restore dignity and self-sufficiency to the beneficiaries.
Matola further elaborated: “In the Hambanathi group, Voice of Community Ministries works with 30 people. The programme started with 3 people in January 2023. Here, we have worked to ensure that people living with disabilities are able to leave their homes, be visible within their communities, and connect. We always preach that people with disabilities should not be locked away in their homes.”
Educational Empowerment Through School Uniform Donations
For Mandela Day, Dube TradePort also donated 100 sets of school uniforms. This aims to support local learners, ensuring that they are equipped and ready for their educational journeys. “Our programmes are aimed at ensuring that young South Africans are educated and go on to acquire the relevant skills that will enable them to take full advantage of the opportunities that we, along with the rest of the business community and the government of KwaZulu-Natal, are bringing into the region,” notes Ms Nolufefe Ali, Corporate Services Executive of Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone.
Commitment to Corporate Social Investment
As an entity of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government Department for Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs(EDTEA), Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone is dedicated to driving economic development throughout the region. Through its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme, Dube TradePort continues to provide the infrastructure upon which KwaZulu-Natal and its citizens can build and grow stronger.
The donation of wheelchairs and school uniforms exemplifies Dube TradePort’s commitment to empowering local communities and fostering sustainable development. This Mandela Day, the organisation’s efforts have made a tangible difference, helping those in need and supporting the education of the youth, ensuring a brighter future for all, says Ms Ali.
