Schneider Electric has once again gained recognition for its efforts in sustainable development, being awarded both first and second place at the annual Steel and Engineering Industry Federation of South Africa (SEIFSA) Awards for Excellence for Best Corporate Social Investment. In addition, on the same evening, the company won the Best Business Collaboration France-South Africa at the French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FSACCI) Annual Gala Awards. “At the core of our sustainable development strategy we have had an in-depth focus on providing access to energy and access to education,” said Zanelle Dalglish, head of Sustainable Development and Academy for Anglophone Africa.
Professor Suné von Solms, University of Johannesburg, who forms part of the F’SASEC network; Zanélle Dalglish, head of Sustainable Development and Academy Anglophone Africa Cluster, Schneider Electric; Carina van Zyl, sustainable development specialist, Schneider Electric.
The Isiboniso project based at Isiboniso Primary School, situated in the impoverished community of Orange Farm has addressed numerous challenges and through strategic partnerships, Schneider Electric has implemented sustainable solutions. Thus far, the company has provided two container classrooms for the young learners and in collaboration with UJ supplied off-grid electrification through solar solutions, to power the use of computers, printing copiers and lighting in the classrooms. In addition, safe electricity workshops were run to educate learners on the suitable and safe use of electricity, with electrical plug points installed for the first time in all the classrooms.
Its second SEIFSA Awards entry, French South African Schneider Electric Education Centre (F’SASEC), received the second placed Best Corporate Social Investment Award. The F’SASEC network accelerates practical training for potential artisans in the field of energy and consists of the Vaal University of Technology, Sedibeng TVET College, University of Johannesburg, College of Cape Town, Cape Peninsula University of Technology and Don Bosco Mozambique. The F’SASEC network introduces advanced teaching methods and training that is in line with the Department of Higher Education and Training’s vision of accelerating artisans using state of the art equipment, focusing on preparing young South Africans from previously disadvantaged social backgrounds for the job market, with a particular focus on women. Schneider Electric was recognised as the company that has best displayed a positive social/educational/governmental interaction between the communities of France and South Africa.
“It was a wonderful night for us. The awards serve as a validation of the power of partnerships and our core belief that access to energy and education enable sustainable impact,” concluded Dalglish.
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