Gibela launches Make A Difference campaign

Recognising the importance of educational support – at all levels – in surrounding communities

14 May, 2018: Duduza, Ekurhuleni: Ekurhuleni-based train manufacturer Gibela has publicly renewed its commitment to Make A Difference in the communities neighbouring its Dunnottar factory at an event at Mom Sebone Secondary School in Duduza.

Guests, including senior managers from the Gauteng Department of Education, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and community leaders, heard about the number of socio-economic development initiatives that Gibela has contributed towards, as well as its plans for the future.

The Make A Difference campaign brings together a number of projects – each with a focus on education and skills development, endeavours that are a critical in Gibela’s contract with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) to produce 580 passenger trains over 10 years.

Gibela’s Economic Development Director Dr Buyiswa Mncono Liwani, explained why the company has selected education as its primary focus: “Education is a great enabler in shaping young people as active global citizens who will put South Africa on the map – this can only be achieved when they are given tools to solve problems, innovate and develop new products, and to make new discoveries. We are creating awareness about careers in science, technology, engineering and maths and thus preparing learners to adapt to skills relevant in the modern workplace”.

Gibela’s socio-economic development projects include:

• Educational support, with a deliberate focus on maths and science. The first aspect of this initiative provides support to both learners and teachers to instil passion and confidence in learning and applying these subjects. Currently run at three campuses, this initiative supported 100 learners and seven teachers in 2017.
  
  A second aspect of this initiative are the Saturday classes provided to around 450 grade 10, 11 and 12 students from 17 schools based in Ekurhuleni.
  
  Both initiative are run in conjunction with the Maths Centre.
• Encouraging young learners to learn a trade and become artisans. As a company operating in the manufacturing sector, Gibela knows that for industrial jobs, or any job for that matter, young people need to develop commercially-viable skills. Gibela therefore provides learnerships and apprenticeships to young people looking to become artisans.
• A partnership between Gibela and ASHA to deliver early childhood development (ECD) and money management skills to practitioners in Ekurhuleni and Mamelodi. The C.A.R.E programme equips ECD practitioners with basic knowledge and understanding of the early childhood education framework in South Africa. It provides an understanding of the Child Care Act, proper governance of pre-schools, pre-school administration and statutory pre-requisites.

Speaking at the event, Gibela CEO, Thierry Darthout said that, “Gibela is very proud to support these important initiatives in the area of education to promote the development and marketability of South Africa’s youth.

“Ours is a young company driven by the belief that economic development, a key area in our operations, is a strategic business imperative. We want our communities to thrive and to grow, so that our business can, too.”

The Gibela team, accompanied by the local Department of Education is rolling out the Make a Difference campaign at six schools based in Duduza, KwaThema and Tsakane. A donation of shoes was made to 2 000 primary and high school learners ahead of the start of winter.

For more information please contact::

On behalf of Gibela:
Pamella Radebe                      Email: pamella.radebe@gibela-rail.com  
Office tel:                                +27 10 600 0651

R & A Strategic Communications:
James Duncan                         Email: james@rasc.co.za
Pam McLeod                           Email: pam@rasc.co.za
Office tel:                                +27 11 880 3924           

About Gibela:

Gibela was established as a consortium to replace South Africa's outdated rolling stock and will deliver 600 state-of-the art passenger trains into the South African rail network over the next 10 years. Fully empowered, Gibela is conscious of its role as a catalyst for economic development and the creation of new skills through its majority shareholder, Alstom. In a contract signed in 2013, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) assigned Gibela the task of replacing its rolling stock with new trains.

Gibela is headquartered in Dunnottar, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. Through the rolling stock project, Gibela will generate 1 500 direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs through the supply chain over a 10-year period. Thousands of people – engineers, artisans, technicians, train drivers and technologists – will benefit from training and upskilling.

GIBELA 2018. All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is indicative only. No representation or warranty is given or should be relied on that it is complete or correct or will apply to any particular project. This will depend on the technical and commercial circumstances. It is provided without liability and is subject to change without notice. Reproduction, use or disclosure to third parties, without express written authority, is strictly prohibited.