Efforts focussed this year on bringing comfort to victims of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) around our Metsimaholo communities.

Employees contributed 67 minutes of their time at the Boiketlong Sport Centre in Zamdela to pack 700 dignity packs for new mothers and 1 500 carry bags with new-born nappies, a baby grow, baby vest, receiving blanket, beanie, socks, aqueous cream, wet wipes, barrier cream, baby soap and a face cloth.

The packs were donated to the Free State Department of Health’s Fezi Ngubentombi District Hospital in Sasolburg and the six clinics in the Metsimaholo communities who will in turn provide the packs to mothers in need.

According to Thuli Mbuli, Head Community Affairs at Sasol’s Sasolburg and Ekandustria Operations, the statistics on GBVF shared by the South African Police Services earlier this year paint a bleak picture, especially in the Free State where crime in which the victims were the targets of violence, increased by 9,6% from January to March 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.

“In response to the scourge of GBVF, we are spurred on by our commitment to effect positive change, as stated in our Promise to Society and our duty of care and accountability.  We might not be able to influence these statistics directly, but we can contribute to alleviate the impact of these crimes through our Sasol for Good efforts in support of victims of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide around our fenceline communities,” she said.

A further 30 employees spent their 67 minutes doing community work at the Sasolburg Children’s Home for GBVF victims.

The packed bags were donated to the Free State Department of Health.