During the recent Sasol Rewards Mzanzi Tour the winners had the opportunity to visit Nourish Eco Village deep in the lowveld as part of their country wide tour. Wild About Hoedspruit had the pleasure to connect the two parties and set up the exciting visit.
As part of their Sasol Rewards Mzanzi Tour, lucky winners had the opportunity to explore the beauty of South Africa while also making a positive impact along the way. And one such impact was seen during their visit to the Nourish Eco Village near Hoedspruit. The Sasol entourage learned about the exciting outreach programs, with a specific focus on their education programmes and made sizeable donations to the Rise Creche Outreach programme run by Nourish.
Nourish Eco Village, located in Sigagula Village on Orpen Road, between Hoedspruit and the Kruger National Park, is a remarkable organisation that connects communities with conservation efforts. Their projects revolve around key issues such as poverty, education, food insecurity, and unemployment, with a goal of finding sustainable solutions.
Through the connection through Wild About Hoedspruit, Sasol had the chance to visit Nourish Eco Village and contribute to their Rise Creche and Green Kidz programs. Not only did Sasol plan a visit to experience the programs first hand, but they also donated educational games and materials to the Rise Creche Outreach program, which focuses on providing vital early childhood education to schools in the surrounding area that lack access to good teaching resources.
The generosity of Sasol’s donation was truly inspiring. Puzzles, soccer equipment, hula hoops, scooters, learning games, art supplies, and books were among the items gifted to the Rise Creche program. These materials will undoubtedly stimulate the young minds of the children and contribute to their educational development.
During the visit, various key individuals were present, making the event even more special. Abey Tau, Sasol Manager of Social Impact, and Zanele Hadebe, VP Marketing, Energy and Business Sasol spoke about their aim to contribute positively to education within South Africa’s rural communities.
Executive Director of Nourish Eco Village, Sarah Bergs, expressed her gratitude to Sasol for their dedication to social impact. “The connection between Wild About Hoedspruit, the visiting Sasol group and Nourish as a grassroots NGO is one way to see SDG#17 in action! We love when everyone brings their strengths to the party and this visit shows what happens when people come together for the greater good.” said Bergs.
Loren Barougier, Tourism Coordinator for Nourish Eco Village and Mpho Modiba, Sasol’s Sponsorship Specialist in Communications, were instrumental in organising the visit through Wild About Hoedspruit and ensuring that the partnership with Nourish Eco Village was a success. Their dedication and commitment to creating lasting change within communities are truly remarkable.
The event also featured insightful speakers, including Abey Tau, Manager of Social Impact, Sasol and Zanele Hadebe, Vice President of Marketing, Energy, and Business at Sasol. Nompumelelo Ngubeni, the Rise Creche School Principal at Nourish Eco Village, and Pontsho Chiloane, the Program Director at Nourish Eco Village, also shared their perspectives and highlighted the positive impact that the partnership will have on the children and the community.
The visit to took place on March 4th, 2024, and left an indelible mark on all those involved. As the winners of the Sasol Rewards Mzanzi Tour explored the facilities and programs and spent some time with the staff and the kids and their hearts were filled with a sense of joy! The countrywide tour has proven to be an extraordinary endeavour that showcases the power of unity and compassion.
Sasol’s commitment to supporting educational initiatives and uplifting communities is truly commendable. Through partnerships with organisations like Wild About Hoedspruit and Nourish Eco Village, they are fostering an environment where we can all thrive together. The impact of their generosity will continue to ripple throughout the community, nourishing the minds and hearts of future generations.
Wild About Hoedspruit
www.hoedspruit.co.za
Nourish Eco Village
https://www.nourishecovillage.com/
