Wheelchair donation marks BAIC project launch
WHILE construction of its multibillion-rand car plant in Port Elizabeth has only just started, Chinese investor BAIC has already shown it is the “wheel deal” when it launched its corporate social investment programme yesterday.
A massive donation of 50 wheelchairs for elderly and physically disabled people across Motherwell and other areas in the Bay launched the programme in style.
At the Emmanuel Haven in Motherwell, BAIC South Africa announced a comprehensive social investment programme which will firstly focus on communities surrounding the plant.
Motherwell neighbours the Coega Special Economic Zone site where BAIC is set to start its vehicle assembly operations next year.
The launch, at which a number of delighted, elderly Emmanuel Haven residents were among the first recipients of the wheelchairs, was attended by representatives of BAIC SA, including its chief financial officer Batandwa Mdyesha.
Also at the launch were representatives from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), including regional manager Kingsley Dell-Robertson, a significant number of Motherwell councillors and community members.
Pointing to BAIC’s significant investment and the fact that it was the first new original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of its size to invest in the country in 50 years, Mdyesha said education – from early child development through to tertiary education – would be a key focus of the company’s social investment programme.
“We will also be looking at sports, arts and culture as another focus area,” she said.
Mdyesha also made it clear that the company would not be able to reach everyone, but called on the country to support BAIC’s social investment initiatives.
In his brief address, Department of Social Development district manager Thembekile Ngqabayi welcomed BAIC’s in- vestments into local communities and painted a bleak picture around prospects for the youth in the region.
Pointing out that Nelson Mandela Bay attracted substantial migration from rural areas, Ngqabayi said the region had a very young population and a high unemployment rate.
“We are facing big problems regarding our youth,” he said.
“School drop-outs are a major problem. One day these school drop-outs will be mothers and fathers, unskilled mothers and fathers.
“At 60 they are supposed to retire, but there will be no retirement for them.
“This is why early childhood development is crucial. Without it, the youth don’t stand much chance later on.”
Going on to impart startling statistics, Ngqabayi said 12% of households in the Bay had no income at all and that a significant portion of the population survived on social grants.