Investing in the Future - Tswelopele
Primedia Outdoor, wholly South African owned outdoor advertising media owner, constantly scouts for ways to enhance and maintain the environment in which it operates. As an integral element of our business strategies, a serious and committed stance is taken on Primedia's corporate social investments. Primedia Outdoor formalised the Tswelopele initiative, in conjunction with other stakeholders, in order to create jobs and empower the previously disadvantaged.
Tswelopele (meaning "Progress")
The Tswelopele project is a dynamic corporate social investment initiative that creates jobs and empowers previously disadvantaged women through the recycling of Primedia Outdoor's billboard flex faces into a range of sophisticated products.
These durable, practical products include garden furniture covers, outdoor braai covers, travel and sports bags, duffel bags, pillowcases and notebook holders.
Created by Primedia Outdoor and other partners in 2002, the Tswelopele initiative has grown from strength to strength.
"As a corporate citizen, Primedia Outdoor feels it imperative to contribute towards South Africa's social and economic development. Our ongoing support and sponsorship of Tswelopele enables many to benefit from living a richer life," says S'khumbuzo Nkosi, Primedia Outdoor's Chief Executive Officer.
Besides assisting previously disadvantaged women and creating jobs, Tswelopele provides the necessary skills and resources to its charges, enabling them to break through the many constraints of poverty. "The ultimate aim is for these women to become self-sufficient and thereby able to care for their families," S'khumbuzo adds.
Primedia Outdoor's initial contribution towards the project took the form of 20 000 square metres of raw material, which launched the Tswelopele initiative. "Calculated in monetary terms, the material would equate to approximately R2 million," adds S'khumbuzo. Primedia Outdoor's ongoing contribution to Tswelopele includes the sustained supply of raw material, which assists with the marketing of these innovative manufactured products.
Primedia Outdoor's continual contribution to the initiative includes a monthly supply of +15 flex faces every month, as well as quarterly purchase of the completed products as corporate gifts. Specifically branded Tswelopele products, SAB billboard flex faces for example, are also marketed to clients for their corporate usage.
"Not only does the Tswelopele initiative contribute towards employment and the economic upliftment of communities, but through the recycling of PVC material, it addresses the serious need in South Africa for environmental conservation, which Primedia Outdoor firmly supports," S'khumbuzo concludes. |
