United Way South Africa, a proudly South African Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) that is part of the global United Way Worldwide movement, held its official launch today in Johannesburg.
The organization aims to unite and connect all sectors of society – individuals, businesses, non-profit organisations and government to create long-term positive social change. The NPO advances the common good and creates opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on education, income and health – the building blocks for a good quality of life.
Mr. Amon Maluleke, currently Chairman of a co-op farm in Bertrams, Johannesburg learned business management and technical farming skills through United Way South Africa’s urban farming project. “Farming has long been a passion for me, and through collaborative partnerships with United Way South Africa, the City of Joburg, Deloitte and others; I am equipped to make a sustainable difference in peoples’ lives,” he commented.
Over 100 children from Childline received school bags, stationery and sanitary products for a full school year through a separate education project, highlighted beneficiary Khosi Mazibuko at the launch.
Introduced by MC, Criselda Kananda, popular Metro FM talk show host, the Chairman of UWSA Thabang Tawarima said, “United Way South Africa is here to provide opportunities that will have a positive impact on people’s lives. Through strategic collaboration between all stakeholders, we provide a collective approach to community impact. We have plans to develop and enhance knowledge, skills and experiences of disadvantaged youth within the targeted communities, to improve their chances of being employable or growing their entrepreneurial ventures. This will be achieved by partnering with strategic players in the market to connect deprived unemployed South Africans to sustainable economic opportunities thereby increasing the health literacy and access to primary health care for indigent South Africans. We already have projects running with several of our partner companies which bear testament to this.”
The organization’s business model is underpinned by strategic collaboration between all stakeholders in communities. This collective approach to community impact allows the organization to leverage, aggregate, support and expands common development programmes for disadvantaged South Africans. Collective community impact will bring about long-term sustainable change in South Africa in the areas of education, income stability and health.
Pharmaceutical company, Eli Lilly, handed over a $500,000 gift, from past CEO Dr. John Lechleiter and Mrs. Sarah Lechleiter and the Lilly Foundation, to UWSA at the launch. Commenting at the event, Eli Lilly South Africa Corporate Affairs Director, Ms. Belinda Bhoodoo said, “Today heralds the start of a very important and strategic partnership between Eli Lilly South Africa and United Way South Africa. We are indeed proud and honored to work with the organization and believe that together we will enhance education, increase sustainable income and create healthier communities for many disadvantaged South Africans.”
Keynote speaker, Mr. Ashraf Garda, renowned SAfm talk show host and Founder of Champion South Africa stressed the importance of creating Public/Private partnerships by collaborating effectively around critical community issues to ensure maximum social impact that provides lasting changes within individuals and societies. Champion People Build Champion People and Champion People build Champion Nations.
The local organization enjoys a solid volunteer board comprising of leadership and expertise from several prominent corporates including; Accelerate Performance, Coca-Cola, Cummins, Deloitte, Eli Lilly, Fluor, IBM, McCann World Group, YBK Consulting and 3M.