September 2022
In September we visited grower partner, the Komati Fruit Group in Malelane, Mpumalanga. Our Waitrose Foundation CEO, Kobus Visagie, and Emily Hendricks, Export Liaison & Regional Manager (North), had very productive meetings with the team at Komati and enjoyed a walkabout to see the community projects funded by various partners in support of the workers and their families. We had a warm welcome and inspiring visit!
Included here are photos taken of the steel work, wood work, crafts and food projects, demonstrating some of our four key focus areas 'in action': Economic Empowerment, Environment, Health & Well-being, and Education & Skills Development.
"Komati Group Social Development NPC strives to uplift local communities ensuring a healthy workforce and a better future for all. Throughout Komati Fruit Group's production regions, the group offers a variety of community focused projects. These projects are spread all around the Komati Fruit Group farms and include various activities and programs. A combined group effort from Komati Fruit Group, our supermarkets - Waitrose, Albert Heijn Foundation and other affiliated Foundations ensuring that we achieve our goals in running 36 projects such as sewing, welding, culinary, apiary, music, vegetable tunnel projects, various sports, cheches, clinics, training, ABET training, covering the 6 main focus areas - Health, Education, Social development, Sport and recreational development, Skills development and Self-sustainability - elements that would achieve the balance in our communities, for a better tomorrow." (www.komatifruits.co.za)
