Renault Empowers Youth Through Educational Investment
Renault South Africa aims to have a positive impact on the lives of South Africans through its CSI initiatives, which are focused on upliftment in the areas of youth development, education and road safety.
In line with the company’s CSI goals, Renault South Africa, in partnership with the Motus Imperial Trust, recently donated a fully-equipped mini library to the Ntethelelo Foundation.
“It is one of the primary goals of our CSI programs to promote social change through education, and that is precisely what is being done here,” said Sithabile Maphumulo, director of marketing for Renault SA.
The Organisation
The Ntethelelo Foundation is a Johannesburg-based after-school study initiative run by women, that aims to promote a safe environment for children to study. Their mission is to end domestic abuse, reduce gender inequities, and promote the well-being of women and girls.
Ntethelelo was established in 2017 and combines applied theatrical techniques and diverse art strategies to create significant social change through discussion around violence against women and girls.
“The techniques we employ are meant to break the cycle of gender inequality, oppression, and violence,” said Thokozani Ndaba, founder and executive director of Ntethelelo.
At the library’s handover on January 26, Maphumulo reiterated that: “Ntethelelo’s values are closely aligned with our own. It’s an organisation founded on self-love, self-respect, and community building”.
The Library
Renault collaborated with Motus Imperial Trust to construct and furnish the library, which is housed in shipping containers. The fully-equipped library is packed with 1500 books, all of which have been strategically chosen to support several age groups, including learners in the foundation phase and the intermediate phase.
The library also has two laptops and high-speed internet connectivity, providing access to online resources for learners.
“It’s such a bright and welcoming room,” expressed Thokozani Ndaba, “and we’re thrilled that our program participants have access to such a safe and well-equipped learning facility. It is conducive to study and gives a location for them to complete their schoolwork in a methodical manner and without interruption.”
“We’re extremely proud to be a part of such initiatives,” says Renault’s Maphumulo. “Not only do they provide female children with safe spaces and access to educational resources, but they also help them develop resilience, make positive decisions, support one another, and improve their communities. They are at the very beginning of the cycle of virtue that education facilitates.”
