Past Projects

67 safe sanitation for 67 crèches in Orange Farm – EVP 2014

Through our highly effective Employee Volunteer Programme (EVP), the Transnet Foundation again roped in Transnet (SOC) Ltd’s powerful workforce, our colleagues, to give away their 67 minutes on putting a smile across the faces of the underprivileged in the spirit of the late Nelson Mandela on the 18th of July, 2014.

On International Nelson Mandela Day, we worked on 67 toilets at 67 crèches across the Orange Farm community, thereby affording each crèche toilet and its ablution system access to the main Johannesburg sanitation grid.

Poor sanitation, improper hygiene and dirty water are the main cause of diarrhea, which kills about 1.2 million children under the age of five every year. School aged children who do not have access to proper ablutions are seriously affected by resulting dysentery diseases, and this can affect their physical growth and cause impaired academic performance and school attendance.

We understand the importance of providing and rehabilitating the nation’s children with access to toilets and bathrooms and clean, running water. Not only does it instill dignity and self-esteem, it is a basic human right.

Nelson Mandela once said, “Our children are the rock on which our future will be built, our greatest asset as a nation. They will be the leaders of our country, the creators of our national wealth, those who care for and protect our people,” and Transnet Foundation embraces this.

Transnet (SOC) Ltd and the Foundation would like to sincerely thank each and every one of you for your undying spirit and commitment to this special day of the year. The company truly appreciates the time and effort that you have put into the Nelson Mandela Day initiative on an annual basis.

“We truly appreciate the effort put into the initiative on a yearly basis,” says Transnet Foundation Head, Cynthia Mgijima. “We hope that each and every one of us continues to give selflessly to those in need throughout the year, and not only on Mandela Day. Our former president, Nelson Mandela planted that seed to give in us. It is now up to us to ensure that the seed germinates and the plant is well nurtured,” she concludes.

The Mandela Day Transnet Crew – De Aar 2013

On Mandela Day, the 18th of July 2013, starting at 8am, employees from all operating divisions and from all rank and file volunteered their time to make a difference in the communities within which Transnet operates. Activities were spread out nationally with the main event taking place in De Aar.

EVP Projects in Durban

EVP keeps Transnet flag high in KZN

Transnet Foundation has been very active in all nine South African provinces including KwaZulu Natal where our Employee Volunteer Programme (EVP) has been in action since 2012 touching many souls in need and transforming a number of infrastructures from schools to old people’s homes.

Through our EVP, Transnet Foundation has undertaken sustainable community uplifting, and enabling projects in KwaZulu Natal aimed at assisting those individuals, NGOs and schools in need and making this world a better place for all and sundry. Our approach has not only been focused rendering some once off assistance, but to also ensure that the said projects have a longer shelve life, depth and a high degree of sustainability.

These projects are successfully executed through our employees’ spirit of volunteering their time with the hope of putting a smile back to the faces of those in dire need. The spirit of volunteerism within Transnet (SOC) Ltd can thus never be underestimated as it draws on its ever-willing 60 000 strong labour force all bringing in various skills and professions for different projects and activities. Our projects are diversified, ranging from agriculture to infrastructure development and, or renovations. Our EVP initiatives have had a significant impact on the lives of the beneficiaries for both young and old.

For instance, we had over 200 volunteers working on a green project at Khanyanjalo Primary School during youth day celebrations. This included planting of 1500 seedlings and donating garden equipment and tools (Hosepipes, rakes, Jojo water tanks, Wheelbarrows and fertilizers) aimed at benefitting 650 0rphans. This is an agricultural programme with a lifespan to clearly last well over a year. The tools donation is our commitment to ensure project sustainability and continuity. In the same year we had Mandela Day celebrations at Mbasela Junior Secondary School where we had 350 volunteers in a school with 1 350 learners.

In 2013, we descended on Abalindi Home, a place of care and safety with 220 residents where we had 400 volunteers performing various tasks like grass cutting, cleaning of the premises and planting of 1500 vegetable seedlings, laundry, washing and ironing clothes and bed linen belonging to the institution. Others did some exterior and interior painting of all buildings including dining halls while a good number did some electrical upgrades, ceiling fitments and some plumbing.

In 2014, the number of projects in the area rose sharply to five. We had Mandosi Senior Primary School where 300 volunteers painted the whole school externally and internally for 1245 learners. We provided them with 2x 5000 litres Jojo Water tanks, upgrading and fixing electricity, plumbing and computers. The most notable outcome from this project was the zero road fatalities as learners were no longer fetching water from across the road and the school’s overall attendance roll increased from 1245 to 1463 learners.

Inanda dam was another project where we had 30 volunteers on Women’s Day. With the assistance of the Department of Social Development, abused women or women facing hardship in life were identified. Transnet EAP Managers and other employees volunteered their skill in counselling through Teambuilding. Beneficiaries received goodie-bags

John Dunn Old Age had 300 volunteers on Mandela Day where 85 volunteers made 67 morning gowns and 67 throw-overs for the residents. The Foundation also provided containers and rooms for the Home of the Abused and Abandoned. At Bantuvukani Primary School, we had 250 volunteers on International Volunteer Day where we painted 22 classrooms and fitted doors to 16 classrooms. The school has 1200 leaners.

In 2015, the team in red went down to Platt Drive Primary school on Mandela Day where we painted classrooms in a school accommodating 800 leaners

Durban: Khanyanjalo Primary School - 07 June 2012

Youth Day Celebration – Food Security
200 volunteers
650 orphans benefitted

Green Project: Planting of 1500 seedlings, donating garden equipment and tools (hosepipes, rakes, jojo water tanks, wheelbarrows and fertilizers).

Durban: Mbasela Junior Secondary School - 29 June 2012

Mandela Day Celebrations- Educational
350 volunteers
1350 learners benefitted

Painting 31 classrooms at Mbasela Higher primary schools and having talks(motivational talks / substance abuse / teenage pregnancy). Career Guidance was also done with employees with special skills giving talks to learners in the field of maritime, Train drivers, Pilots. School Attendance Roll increased from 1350 to 1575 and many applicants were turned down because of accommodation.

Durban: Abalindi Home - 27 July 2013

Mandela Day
400 volunteers
125 residents benefitted

Abalindi Welfare Home has 5 divisions ;

1. Hospice with 50 patients
2. Frail Care - 25 Residents
3. Old Age - 50 residents
4. Children’s Home - 45 children
5. Creche - 50 children

280 volunteers descended on this institution and activities that took place were:

1. Green Effort - Grass cutting, cleaning of the premises and planting of 1500 vegetable seedlings.
2. Laundry – 20 volunteers did laundry, washing and ironing clothes, bed linen belonging to the institution.
3. Painting - Volunteers did exterior and interior painting of all buildings including dining halls.
4. Electrical upgrades – Electrician volunteers installed and upgraded electricity.
5. Ceiling – Fitting of ceiling in the dining Hall.
6. Plumbing -New geysers were fitted and old ones repaired. Leaking water pipes and taps were fixed and some replaced.
7. Spring cleaning for residents – volunteers scrubbed floors.
8. Frail – 10 volunteers cut their nails, combing their hair.
9. Creche – 10 Volunteers cooked and fed babies.

Durban: Mandosi Senior Primary School - 24 May 2014

Inanda Exit Project
300 volunteers
1245 learners benefitted

1. Painting of the whole school externally and internally
2. 19 classrooms, providing them with 2x 5000 litres jojo Water tanks
3. Upgrading and fixing electricity, plumbing and computers.
4. Repairing 2 Wooden Structures used as classrooms

Result of our intervention: Most important one is that there has been zero road fatalies as learners are not fetching water across the road. The school overall attendance roll increased from 1245 to 1463 learners.

Durban: Inanda Dam - August 2014

Women’s Day
30 volunteers
80 Women benefited

With the assistance of Social development,abused women or women facing hardship in life were identified.Transnet EAP Managers and other employees volunteered their skill in counselling through Teambuilding. Beneficiaries received goodie-bags.

Durban: Employee Volunteerism Village in KZN - March 2014

Tracker - Women’s day
35 volunteers
60 learners benefitted

60 Grade 10-12 learners were exposed to all Transnet operations around Durban. These learners were coming from 6 neighbouring high schools.

Durban: John Dunn Old Age Home - July 2014

Mandela Day 2014
300 volunteers
85 residents benefitted

Volunteers made 67 morning gowns and 67 throw-overs. Provided containers and rooms for the Home of the Abused and Abandoned.

Durban: Bantuvukani Higher Primary School - 05 December 2014

International Volunteer Day
250 volunteers
1200 learners benefitted

1. Painting 22 Classrooms
2. Fitting doors to 16 Classrooms

Durban: Platt Drive Primary School - 17 July 2015

Mandela Day
200 volunteers
800 learners benefitted

Painting of classrooms

Other

Inanda, Durban: Abalindi Welfare

Abalindi Welfare provides hospice care for terminally ill senior citizens as well as shelter and care for vulnerable and mentally ill senior citizens. It is also a daily refuge for senior citizens from growing social violence perpetrated against them. The Centre has a home for orphaned boys and girls.

Run by a hardworking and dedicated staff, Abalindi Welfare is in need of some compassion.

Employees were divided into nine teams of volunteers for the hospice, frail care, old age care, children’s home, crèche, plumbing, electrical works, painting, laundry and gardening and did a stunning job.

Motherwell, Port Elizabeth: Emmanuel Haven

Started by a group of volunteers, the Emmanuel Haven is a testimony to the social change and hope that a spirit of giving can bring. Emmanuel Haven is a hive of activity, from a hospice for HIV / AIDS patients to economically self – sustaining hydroponics farming, this dynamic Haven was a worthy recipient of our Mandela Day volunteering.

It was noted that the hard efforts of the Haven were being challenged by criminal activity. With no perimeter fence, the Haven constantly found itself at the receiving end of criminals. The property is vandalised and farming equipment stolen.

All Transnet employee hands were on deck when taking on the challenge of erecting a two kilometre long perimeter palisade fence. Well done team Transnet!

Elands Bay, West Coast: Engelbrecht Primary School

The little Village of Elands Bay has one characteristic feature, the Sishen – Saldanha export iron ore railway line that cuts through the Village.

Engelbrecht Primary School is the only school in this little town ravished by poverty and neglect.

Because Transnet cares about those communities affected by our operations, Elands Bay was wrapped in the red Transnet brand when our employees got the small town to volunteer.

Employees painted the jungle gym erected for the school playground by Transnet in bright colours; Transnet donated a containerised school library and equipped it with educational books (employees will assist with cataloguing the books) and our Transnet volunteers started a food garden 50m x 30m in size to provide food security for the community as well as the learners.

De Aar, Northern Cape: De Aar Youth Precinct

Transnet employee volunteers came from as far as Johannesburg and Pretoria and took a train ride on Mandela Day to De Aar, to be a part of the hope and light that Transnet brought to the youth of the De Aar community. The multi-faceted Youth Precinct is a bold initiative of Transnet Property, and employees volunteered to convert two abandoned houses into a shelter for homeless boys and a Youth Education and Information Centre.

The negative social issues that permeate De Aar hold of its young people and robs them of their quest to follow in the greatness of Nelson Mandela.

Alongside the shelter and educational centre, volunteers built a Youth Park where the physical, psycho-social and entertainment needs of the youth are catered for. The park is designed to go beyond recreation, and in realising its full potential, it is a place where all the youth of De Aar can, like a melting pot, grow into youth with hope and with aspirations for a future of greatness.