WSSA’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) extends across the country through various regional and national upliftment projects. Local projects have been implemented in communities where WSSA has been awarded contracts in partnership with clients. WSSA is committed in sustainable development when conducting its business. The company believes in balancing the social, environmental and economic pillars.
National Projects
1. Valued Citizens Initiatives
WSSA has been a sponsor to Valued Citizens Initiatives (VCI) since 2002 and is regarded as a silver partner. The VCI was established in 2001 as a non-profit organisation in response to Gauteng Department of Education’s quest to develop citizenship education in public schools. The VCI has initiated several development projects across the country.
WSSA is one of the sponsors for the VCI’s Inspire Programme, which is a leadership programme, targeting grade 9 girl learners from rural and township public schools around Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. The primary goal for this program is to address gender inequalities and poverty in communities. The programme invites 10 girl learners from 10 secondary schools from each province to participate.
The program consists of the following two camps held over four days:
The ‘Me, Myself and My Journey’ encourages learners to reflect upon their values, understanding who they are and what they stand for. Learners are also encouraged to create their own ‘Inspiration Club’ in their respective schools.
The second camp, titled ‘My Journey Through Leadership’, empowers learners with valuable leadership and communication skills. Business leaders from various spheres of society provide motivational talks.
To date, the programme has inspired over 3,800 girls from 68 schools, indirectly reaching 73,000 learners.
For more information, visit www.valuedcitizens.co.za
2. Children of the Dawn
WSSA has supported Children of the Dawn (COTD) since it was established in 2002. COTD is a non-profit and public benefit organisation supporting rural South African children who are in dire need. Currently, the organisation cares for 852 children aged 5 to 22 in eight rural communities of which 80% of these children are orphan or living with a HIV-positive parent. The COTD has established twenty-five (25) semi-formal day centres, aftercare centres or drop-in centres where the children are fed, helped with homework, educated in life skills, hygiene and health issues, and also given moral and emotional support.
The organisation also creates support networks for each and every child. These informal support teams are comprised of extended family members, neighbours, teachers, social workers, and small businesses who strive to protect orphans or vulnerable children within the community.
These rural communities are:
- Mathabatha and Lebenye in Limpopo
- Bushbuckridge, Mangweni and Ermelo in Mpumalanga
- QwaQwa in Free State
- Mpuze in KwaZulu – Natal
- Matatiele in the Eastern Cape
For more information visit www.childrenofthedawn.org.za
