According to Sigi Proebstl, CEO Siemens Africa, the organisation’s contributions are being made in response to appeals by the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund to give 67 minutes to a worthy cause to honour the former statesman.

“We are encouraging our employees to get involved with these projects, as they provide an excellent opportunity for our staffs to make a difference,” Proebstl says.

Amongst the initiatives supported by Siemens are its flagship programme, Youthspace, which seeks to improve the lives of youth affected by poverty by providing shelter, nourishment and education.

On June 16 this years Siemens Southern Africa announced that they will build the Mandela School of Science and Technology in Mvezo in the Eastern Cape, the birthplace of former President Nelson Mandela. As the primary partner involved in building the high school in Mvezo, Siemens will be working with the Mvezo Traditional Council and the Mvezo Development Trust. The stakeholders will work jointly with the Department of Education and the Department of Science and Technology in establishing a state-of-the-art sustainable Science and Technology school.

“Through this investment, our company is demonstrating it’s commitment to supporting government with it’s goal of increasing the levels of education in South Africa.,” says Sigi Proebstl, CEO Siemens Africa. “We are a technology company focusing on technology solutions. The school will be designed according to the principles of sustainability, and it will incorporate state-of-the-art environmental friendly solutions, such as water purifications systems and will be powered by solar energy. The learners in the school will be exposed to this cutting edge technology and will hopefully get excited about technological solutions and the fascinating world of engineering. South Africa and the rest of the Africa needs engineers to find answers to the continent’s infrastructure challenges and to create jobs,” states Proebstl.

On Mandela day , Siemens is also donating new bunk beds, for children at Mayfair House in Gauteng, one of the facilities through which Youthspace offers care. The occasion will be celebrated with a lunch for the children of Mayfair House.

The company is also reaching out to educational institutions: for example, it has recently helped to create a new emblem for Isekelo Primary School in Tembisa, Gauteng, which will be launched later this month. Added to this, Siemens staff members have volunteered to relieve the feeding scheme staff who usually cooks for 200 learners. When Siemens employees put on their aprons, they will gear up to feed 1 200 learners, as well as teaching staff. Meanwhile, employees will also take over the cooking duties at Ingqayizivele High School, where they will feed 2 000 learners and staff members. The organisation is also sponsoring R200 000 worth of science equipment for the school.

“We’re excited to be joining in this drive to make South Africa a better place,” Proebstl enthuses.