The response to Jaguar Land Rover’s #FeedingSATogether campaign has been extremely positive since its launch on 9 April, and thanks to generous contributions from numerous South African companies and individuals more than 2,100 children and elderly will have access to nutritious meals for up to a month.
The project, which was arranged in partnership with Jaguar Ambassador and well-known celebrity Minnie Dlamini, called for donations of any amount in order to secure food parcels to be distributed to those in need by the South African Red Cross Society.
As a result a number of companies, celebrities and brand ambassadors have joined forces in the true spirit of Ubuntuto help support South Africans in need. To date a total in excess of R470,000 has been raised, and all proceeds have gone directly to the initiative.
One #FeedingSATogether food pack can feed a single person for up to three weeks and a child for up to one month. Each parcel includes rations of vegetable soup, soya mince, instant porridge and isotonic drinks, along with a hand sanitiser from Minnie Dlamini’s own line of MD-brand beauty products. The Red Cross will continue to identify the respective orphanages and old age homes where deliveries can be performed safely and are most needed during the COVID-19 crisis.
The first major contribution came from Jaguar Land Rover itself with the delivery of 90 parcels the Khyalethu School near Knysna, and a further 200 were distributed in Soweto, Daveyton, Germiston, Brakpan and Benoni. Jaguar Land Rover also made 11 vehicles from it marketing fleet available to the Red Cross to use for its COVID-19 efforts across the country, in addition to the deliveries of food packs.
Diageo South Africa, a leading spirits manufacturer, was one of the first companies to respond with a donation of R125,000 and the free supply of 10,000 litres of alcohol for the manufacture of the MD hand sanitisers.
Puma Energy South Africa was next to join the fight against hunger with a major contribution, after Jaguar Ambassador TT Mbha used his relationship with the fuels supplier to introduce the company to the initiative.
TT Mbha, Jaguar Ambassador, said:“Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu simply means I am because of others, and that has always been an integral part of my township upbringing. The #FeedingSATogether initiative to combat hunger naturally resonates with who I am and that’s why I decided to tap into my global networks such as Puma Energy to unlock much needed donations for orphans and the elderly.”
Eghosa Oriaikhi Mabhena, CEO, Puma Energy Africa, said: “Our purpose as Puma Energy is to energise communities. Aside from our regular business of supplying high-quality fuels, this also means caring for and giving back to people, and at this time the vulnerable members of our society in particular. I’m excited to see our South African business getting involved with the #FeedingSATogether initiative, and Puma Energy is proud to donate R150,000 to the cause as well as a direct donation of R20,000 in fuel to the South African Red Cross Society.”
Next was popular South African musician Black Coffee who held a live stream performance on 25 April to promote the #FeedingSATogether campaign. More than 9,000 fans tuned in for the viewing with a result of over R44,000 in donations secured.
Prompted by Minnie Dlamini’s heartfelt call on the public via social media channels, other Jaguar Land Rover Ambassadors including Kingsley Holgate, Bryan Habana, Bobby van Jaarsveld, Eben Etzebeth, Absa Cape Epic Team Land Rover riders, and numerous Springbok rugby players have helped to spread the message and make donations of their own.
Minnie Dlamini, Jaguar Ambassador, said: “The reaction from the public to our #FeedingSATogether campaign has been overwhelming. The compassion we’ve seen from South Africans during this time has touched our hearts and the lives of thousands around Mzansi. We’re also encouraged to see a number of donations from abroad, meaning our message has resonated with the world.”
The Backabuddy platform which was set up by Jaguar Land Rover in cooperation with the Minnie Dlamini Foundation is still up and running, and anyone interested in donating to the #FeedingSATogether initiative can do so atwww.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/feedingsatogether.
About Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover is the UK’s largest automotive manufacturer, built around two iconic British car brands. Land Rover is the world’s leading manufacturer of premium all-wheel-drive vehicles. Jaguar is one of the world’s premier luxury marques, as well as being the first ever brand to offer a premium all-electric performance SUV, the Jaguar I-PACE.
At Jaguar Land Rover we are driven by a desire to deliver class-leading vehicles, providing experiences people love, for life. Our products are in demand around the globe and in 2019 we sold 557,706 vehicles in 127 countries.
We employ some 40,000 people globally and support around 250,000 more through our retailer network, suppliers and local businesses. At heart we are a British company, with two major design and engineering sites, three vehicle manufacturing facilities, an Engine Manufacturing Centre and soon to be opened Battery Assembly Centre. We also have vehicle plants in China, Brazil, India, Austria and Slovakia. Three of our seven technology hubs are in the UK – Manchester, Warwick (NAIC) and London – with additional sites in Shannon, Ireland, Portland, USA, Budapest, Hungary and Changshu, China.
We have a growing portfolio of electrified products across our model range, embracing fully electric, plug-in hybrid and mild-hybrid vehicles, as well as continuing to offer the latest diesel and petrol engines, giving our customers even more choice.
We are confident that our comprehensive strategy, exciting pipeline of market-leading vehicles and innovative approach to technology and mobility will see us continue to progress towards Destination Zero, our mission to shape future mobility with zero emissions, zero accidents and zero congestion.
Contact:
Tina Pienaar-Smit
Public Relations and Sponsorship Specialist
Jaguar Land Rover South Africa
Direct:+27 12 450 4124
Switchboard:+27 12 450 4000
Mobile:+27 (0) 82 619 3231
E-mail:tpienaar@jaguarlandrover.com
Pretoria, 30 March 2020 – Jaguar Land Rover South Africa has made 11 vehicles available to the South African Red Cross Society (SARCS) in order to keep the organisation mobile in its efforts to control and minimise the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
The vehicles, which come from Jaguar Land Rover’s Experience and marketing fleets, have been supplied free of charge and will be dispatched nationwide to boost transport capacity for SARCS. Red Cross volunteers will now be deployed to critical areas where they will engage communities and educate on how the virus is transmitted and how to avoid risks.
In many vulnerable areas the South African population has limited access to mainstream media and social platforms such as TV, Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp which provide instant communication and updates of COVID-19. SARCS will use alternative communication methods such as megaphones to conduct mass community education and awareness while observing the social distance prevention rule.
The main focus areas for SARCS will be on hygiene promotion which entails, hand washing and sanitising techniques, information dissemination and awareness creation, demystifying myths on COVID-19, and the distribution of masks and gloves.
The vehicles will also help the Red Cross in its crucial role of contact tracing. Trained volunteers will identify those who have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, test those people, and then trace their footsteps to identify anyone they have been in contact with if they test positive.
In addition to these activities the Red Cross will provide support to affected families, distribute food parcels, buy groceries and feed homeless people.
The South African Red Cross Society is qualified in disaster management operations, first aid, health and care and community engagement and accountability. It has a footprint across all provinces with 35 operational branches, 6000 volunteers and 400 staff members.
The South African Red Cross Society relies on funding and support from the private sector for disaster response and mitigation initiatives. Donate online at www.redcross.org.za/donate/
ENDS
Notes to editors:
About Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover is the UK’s largest automotive manufacturer, built around two iconic British car brands. Land Rover is the world’s leading manufacturer of premium all-wheel-drive vehicles. Jaguar is one of the world’s premier luxury marques, as well as being the first ever brand to offer a premium all-electric performance SUV, the Jaguar I-PACE.
At Jaguar Land Rover we are driven by a desire to deliver class-leading vehicles, providing experiences people love, for life. Our products are in demand around the globe and in 2019 we sold 557,706 vehicles in 127 countries.
We employ some 40,000 people globally and support around 250,000 more through our retailer network, suppliers and local businesses. At heart we are a British company, with two major design and engineering sites, three vehicle manufacturing facilities, an Engine Manufacturing Centre and soon to be opened Battery Assembly Centre. We also have vehicle plants in China, Brazil, India, Austria and Slovakia. Three of our seven technology hubs are in the UK – Manchester, Warwick (NAIC) and London – with additional sites in Shannon, Ireland, Portland, USA, Budapest, Hungary and Changshu, China.
We have a growing portfolio of electrified products across our model range, embracing fully electric, plug-in hybrid and mild-hybrid vehicles, as well as continuing to offer the latest diesel and petrol engines, giving our customers even more choice.
We are confident that our comprehensive strategy, exciting pipeline of market-leading vehicles and innovative approach to technology and mobility will see us continue to progress towards Destination Zero, our mission to shape future mobility with zero emissions, zero accidents and zero congestion.
Contact:
Tina Pienaar-Smit
Public Relations and Sponsorship Specialist
Jaguar Land Rover South Africa
Direct:+27 12 450 4124
Switchboard:+27 12 450 4000
Mobile:+27 (0) 82 619 3231
E-mail:tpienaar@jaguarlandrover.com
For more information visit:
Website: www.landrover.co.za
Facebook: facebook.com/landroversouthafrica
Twitter: twitter.com/LandRoverZA
Instagram: instagram.com/jaguarsouthafrica
Pretoria, 1 June 2020 –The Kingsley Holgate Foundation, together with a group of caring conservationists, has assisted with the delivery of over 100,000 nutritional porridge packs to hard hit rural communities alongside game reserves and wildlife areas in KwaZulu-Natal.
The situation is desperate for those living and employed in areas where parks and lodges which rely on recently non-existent tourist activity are located. Working with local chiefs, InDunas, and trusted wildlife community liaisons, the distributions have taken place in small socially distanced groups with team members and recipients all masked and sanitised.
The project, called ‘Feeding the Wildlife Community’, was formed by a group of like-minded conservationists during the enforced Covid-19 Lockdown. With all permissions and essential permits in place, the group used personal vehicles and the Kingsley Holgate Foundation’s two Expedition Land Rover Discoverys, to load 5kg bags of nutritional, pre-cooked porridge as well as fortified sorghum cereal donated by RCL Foods’ Do More Foundation, for delivery to communities in need.
In addition to essential meals, the project has also seen the delivery of much-needed face masks and instructional Covid-19 preventative tips boards printed in Zulu, to the identified rural areas.
“It’s a privilege to be able to throw our expedition Land Rovers into the mix and to join the frontline in this small way,”said Kingsley Holgate. “It’s great that we have the opportunity to include our beloved Discoverys for this piece of impactful work. Siyabonga and thanks to all involved.”
ENDS
About Land Rover
Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true ‘breadth of capability’ across the model range. Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar and Range Rover Evoque each define the world’s SUV sectors, with 80 per cent of this model range exported to over 100 countries.
Contact:
Tina Pienaar-Smit
Public Relations and Sponsorship Specialist
Jaguar Land Rover South Africa
Direct:+27 12 450 4124
Switchboard:+27 12 450 4000
Mobile:+27 (0) 82 619 3231
E-mail:tpienaar@jaguarlandrover.com
For more information visit:
Press releases and high res images:landrover.motorpress.co.za
Website: www.landrover.co.za
Facebook: facebook.com/landroversouthafrica
Twitter: twitter.com/LandRoverZA
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/land-rover-south-africa
Instagram: instagram.com/landroversa