Mercedes-Benz South Africa distributes COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to 15,000 learners in the Eastern Cape

• Mercedes-Benz South Africa continues to lend its support to communities in the fight against COVID-19. 
• Mercedes-Benz South Africa distributes Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) items to its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) beneficiaries located in the Eastern Cape.   15, 000 learners in 24 schools to benefit from the distribution of COVID-19 essential items.  

East London. Mercedes-Benz South Africa’s (MBSA) pledge to support vulnerable communities in the Eastern Cape in the fight against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) as the pandemic continues. On 22 June, at an event hosted at Wongalethu High School in Mdantsane, East London, MBSA handed over approximately 2,000 packs containing COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to learners in Grades 7 and 12.  

Commenting on the handover, CEO of MBSA and Executive Director: Manufacturing, Andreas Engling said: “The manufacturing of hand sanitisers from our manufacturing plant and the procurement of essential items for the donation and distribution to our CSR beneficiary schools is yet another way in which MBSA is showing its continued support in the fight against the coronavirus. As MBSA, we believe in making a difference by focusing our socially responsive efforts in the communities in which we operate. The handover of the essentials PPE today is an extension of the company’s focus on education and its support for the wellbeing, health and safety of its communities.” 

The essentials packs contain a supply of facemasks, 500ml bottle of hand sanitiser produced with great precision from the MBSA Paintshop, 100ml tubs of aqueous cream and COVID-19 educational material. The distribution is part of the handovers scheduled to take place from 22-25 June and will reach 15,000 learners in eight Rally to Read Primary Schools, 15 STEP schools (9 Primary and 6 High Schools) and 143 learners who attend the African Angels Independent School. 

“As MBSA we continue to challenge ourselves to find ways to inhibit further contagion of COVID-19. As a responsible corporate citizen, we recognise the importance of supporting the communities in which
we operate and will deploy our history of manufacturing excellence to safeguard the health and safety of the people of the Eastern Cape during this pandemic,” concluded Engling.  

In May, following a declaration that the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality is a COVID-19 hotspot, MBSA pledged its support to the Eastern Cape Provincial Government with the manufacturing and supply of 3D printed recyclable plastic face shields and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) breathing aid devices, which are pending regulatory approval.  
 
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About Mercedes-Benz South Africa and East London plant 

Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the global company, Daimler AG. Established in 1948, MBSA is one of the largest automotive groups in South Africa. The production of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars at the East London plant began in 1958, with the model series of the W121. Today, MBSA manufactures Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars in both left- and right-hand drive for the local and export markets. 

MBSA cemented its position as one of the top manufacturing plants in Daimler AG, getting recognition for six years in a row with J.D. Power and Associates (a US-based company) quality awards for vehicles produced at its East London. With 3100 employees and a production volume of over 100,000 vehicles in 2018, the East London plant is an important part of the C-Class global production network. The network includes the Mercedes-Benz plants in Tuscaloosa (USA), BBAC (China), and lead plant in Bremen (Germany). As announced in June 2018, further investments into the expansion of the East London plant for the production of the next generation C-Class constitute R10 billion.   

More information from Mercedes-Benz is available online at:  www.mercedes-benzsa.co.za.   

Media enquiries:  
Refilwe Ramatlhodi Ndhlovu | +27 72 196 0606 | refilwe.ramatlhodi(at)daimler.com