Corporate Social Investment
In addition to the economic impact which it has on the city and the province, the Durban ICC remains committed to giving back to its community through its Student and Graduate Programmes and via special projects throughout the year. We believe in, not only supporting these projects financially, but also in providing opportunities for our staff members to give of their time and talents in a personal and meaningful way.
The Company’s CSI focus is aligned to the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. These goals were adopted globally as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and are the successor to the Millennium Development Goals Agenda which concluded in 2015. Governments, businesses and civil society have started to mobilize efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Agenda by 2030. Universal, inclusive and indivisible, the Agenda calls for action by all countries to improve the lives of people everywhere.
Our CSI activities will be primarily focused on, but not limited to, the following UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development:
Recent projects which the Durban ICC has supported include:
The Durban ICC refurbished an Early Childhood Development Centre and pre-primary school in Inanda
The Durban International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) refurbished an Early Childhood Development Centre and pre-primary school in Inanda on 17-18 July 2019 as a way of giving back to those less fortunate.
The Durban ICC also donated baby mattresses and planted a vegetable garden at the Rejoice Daycare Centre and Egugulethu Pre-Primary School in order to provide a self-sustainable source of food for the children.
The Rejoice Daycare and Egugulethu Pre-Primary School is a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) that relies on funding and donations in order to provide quality education to young children. The NPO was among the 164 organisations who had submitted their request for sponsorship proposal to the Durban ICC earlier this year.
Reach for a Dream Foundation
The Reach for a Dream Foundation believe in the power of dreams; they encourage children to use their dreams to fight life-threatening illnesses and they try, as far as possible, to make the children’s dreams come true.
The foundation hosts various fundraising initiatives throughout the year in order to continue inspiring hope in children fighting life-threatening illnesses.
The Company assisted in contributing towards the fundraising endeavours by sponsoring venues at the Durban Exhibition Centre for the Reach for a Dream’s annual “Quiz Night”, hosted on the 1st November 2019.
Santa Shoebox Appeal
The Santa Shoebox Project is an initiative that collects and distributes gifts to over 100,000 underprivileged children in orphanages, children’s homes and care centres across South Africa and Namibia each year. Members of the public pledge to prepare a shoebox, which contains items such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, washcloth, educational supplies, sweets, a toy and an outfit of clothing. In preparation for the year-end festivities, the Durban ICC threw its weight behind the project once again this year. The Company supported the initiative by sponsoring the venue at the Durban Exhibition Centre on the 14th November 2019 as the central collection point for the Durban Central boxes.
KwaZulu-Natal Kidney Association
Each year the KZN Kidney Association brings the joy of Christmas into the hearts of children suffering from Kidney related diseases. It gives them the chance to enjoy themselves and be part of the festive feeling.
This year the association approached the Centre to sponsor the venue for a Christmas Party for 400 children from disadvantaged backgrounds that are affected with kidney disease. The event was hosted in the Coast of Dreams on the 1st December 2019.
Gender-based Violence Workshop
Many boys grow up without father figures in South Africa. This contributes to many criminal activities, drug abuse and other social ills. Mayenzeke Community Development NPO therefore devised a seminar to help address these challenges in their local community as part of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.
On the 4th of December 2019, the seminar themed Vuka Nsizwa was hosted at KwaMashu G hall. The seminar brought together specialists equipped to help young men in various areas of their lives. The day was aimed at creating a safe place where the dialogue could begin and men could be inspired to be good citizens and take responsibility for their lives. The Company supported this worthwhile initiative with a monetary donation to assist with the costs of the seminar.
Street Lit
A survey commissioned by eThekwini Municipality and conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council, showed that 72% of homeless people most want an opportunity to work so they can get off the streets.
The Street Lit project assists Durban’s homeless to earn an income through their bookseller project which empowers them become vendors and sell pre-owned books to the public.
The Durban ICC has partnered with Street Lit by providing a regular venue for a selection of vendors to sell these donated books to the constant throng of delegates which pass through the Centre during the year.
Delegates attending events in the centre appreciate the opportunity to stop by the Street Lit table during their breaks to buy a book or two thereby supporting the vendor, who was previously homeless and see them earn an honest income through the programme.
Food Donations
On the 27th May 2020 a team from the Durban ICC set out to donate food and beverage items from its stores to the following beneficiaries:
- Issy Geshen Lamont Home for the Aged
- Thembela Home for the Aged
- Lakehaven Children’s Home
These beneficiaries were selected for the excellent work they are doing in our communities during this time of the pandemic. The donations were most gratefully received as many NPOs are finding donations very scarce at this time.
