The clean-up of the beach is in line with Unilever’s sustainability priorities focused on plastics, climate, nature and livehoods, but also part of the commitment to preserve the ocean’s environment and promote activities that indorse sustainability. The annual clean-up, which started four years ago, has been spearheaded by Alliance to End Plastics Waste, Inkwazi Isu and SA Health.
Sithembile Ngobese Director Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Unilever says, “Since the clean-up started four years ago, the health of the coastal area has been revived, fish is returning to the area and fishermen have also resumed their activities which is a positive development as the fishermen can now earn an income and support livelihoods. For us at Unilever, it is about restoring the damaged environment, and the clean-up is a continuous restoration process that creates sustainable livelihoods.”
Ngobese noted that Inkwazi Isu collects over 10 000 tonnes of waste plastic annually for recycling, and this initiative has not only created local jobs but also is a project about healing the damaged environment.
“We are proud to partner with Unilever on these impactful initiatives. They are both very much in line with the corporate social responsibility which we pride ourselves in upholding, we hope that they will help move the dial in uplifting communities that are the bedrock of South Africa,” says Dr Kirston Greenop, Head of Corporate Citizenship at Standard Bank.
Another group of Unilever and Standard Bank employees also spent time refurbishing, painting rooms and cleaning up at the William Clark Othandweni Children and Youth Centre. The employees worked in the garden, donated toys, a new washing machine and television, and set up a computer room for the children. In addition, Unilever donated a home pack that includes hygiene and nutrition products.
“The home was selected on the advice of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. The time we spent at the home is about changing lives as a responsible corporate citizen. We were therefore happy to see staff participating in an activity that gives back to the community. The two initiatives under Mandela Day show that we care for the environment and we also have a responsibility towards children,” said Ngobese.