Daimler Truck Southern Africa Group of Companies Makes a Meaningful Impact in Mdantsane.

• DTSA Group of Companies, Revitalises Education Through Strategic Community Investment in the Eastern Cape
• DTSA Group of Companies and Partners Unite to Transform Learning Environments at Sinethemba High School

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀, 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀 – Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA), in collaboration with its own retail dealership, Sandown Motors Commercial Vehicles Centurion, has made a meaningful contribution to Sinethemba High School in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape. As a public school at the heart of its community, Sinethemba High School serves with resilience and purpose despite ongoing resource challenges. The Eastern Cape holds special significance for DTSA, as it is home to its assembly plant and home to many of its employees, making investment in surrounding communities a deeply personal priority.

DTSA first visited the school as part of their 2024 Mandela Day initiative in partnership with the Gift of the Givers Foundation. During this visit, the pressing needs of the school became evident, prompting a commitment from DTSA to return and provide further support. This commitment was strengthened when Sandown Motors Commercial Vehicles Centurion joined the initiative, enabling the group to significantly amplify its impact.

Education remains the cornerstone of sustainable development and opportunity in South Africa, however, many schools across the country continue to face challenges due to limited access to essential resources and infrastructure. In response, the DTSA Group of Companies undertook the renovation of classrooms, the school’s library, and to further enhance the learning environment, computers were donated to complete the school’s computer lab, providing learners with improved access to digital education tools. The DTSA Group of Companies hopes to continue its support by returning to the school in the coming year to build on this progress and further enhance the learning environment.

This initiative was implemented in partnership with the Gift of the Givers Foundation, one of Africa’s largest disaster response and humanitarian organisations. Founded in 1992, the foundation is widely recognised for its rapid response to humanitarian crises and its ongoing community development programmes, both locally and internationally. Their involvement ensured the effective execution and sustainability of the project.

“Education remains a key pillar of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy and having the opportunity to make a lasting impact in a community that is both vital to our operations and home to many of our employees is truly meaningful and close to our hearts. The need for educational support, resources and adequate infrastructure in South Africa remains immense and we are proud to play our part in driving meaningful, sustainable change, because every learner deserves a fair chance to succeed. Our work at Sinethemba High School is not done and we hope to return to continue this journey and help build an environment where learners are supported, inspired and equipped to shape their futures.” Maretha Gerber, President and Group CEO, DTSA.

Mark Croxon, CEO of Sandown Commercial Vehicles Centurion adds: “When we first learned about the Sinethemba High School project, we knew immediately that we wanted to be part of it. Our trucks help keep Africa moving and they are assembled in the Eastern Cape, therefore supporting this community felt both natural and necessary. Sandown Commercial Vehicles Centurion is immensely proud to contribute to this initiative, and we look forward to continuing our support as the project progresses.”

DTSA extends its sincere thanks to Gift of the Givers for their partnership and for the vital role they played in bringing this project to life and ensuring its success. May these improved spaces empower educators and learners at Sinethemba High School, creating lasting opportunities for growth, progress and success.

𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐬.

Media enquiries:
Jacqueline Fourie
Cell: 079 695 7485
e-mail: jacqueline.fourie@daimlertruck.com

Daimler Truck Southern Africa Group of Companies at a glance:
Since the invention of the truck over 125 years ago, Daimler Truck AG has been a pioneer in the commercial vehicle sector and is today one of the world’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturers. Established in South Africa over 60 years ago, Daimler Truck Southern Africa Ltd together with its subsidiaries Daimler Truck Financial Services South Africa (Pty) Ltd and Sandown Motor Holdings (Pty) Ltd provides an optimal experience for our esteemed customers based on a comprehensive products and services portfolio. The Group’s success is based on its leading brands inclusive of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Buses, FUSO Trucks in addition to offering parts and services for Freightliner and Western Star Trucks. Its product range is backed by its market leading value-added services in Fleetboard, TruckStore, TruckTraining, and Financial Services. With a Southern African footprint that includes South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, the company is headquartered in Pretoria, the capital city of South Africa, and all its products are assembled locally in its East London production plant.