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Daimler Trucks & Buses’ FleetBoard SA comes to the aid of the drought-stricken area of Imizamo Yethu

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Daimler Trucks & Buses’ FleetBoard South Africa division comes to the aid of the drought-stricken area of Imizamo Yethu

  • FleetBoard division hands over 25 000 litres of water to those most in need
  • Daimler Trucks & Buses Southern Africa (with financial contributions from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services and Mercedes-Benz Vans) partners with the South African Red Cross Society

IMIZAMO YETHU, CAPE TOWN –  At the end of August, Daimler Trucks & Buses’ (DT&B) FleetBoard division and the South African Red Cross Society spearheaded a humanitarian initiative to hand over 25 000 litres of water to the impoverished area of Imizamo Yethu, in the Western Cape suburb of Hout Bay.

The province is facing an unprecedented water crisis, with water supply dams still less than 30% full. This number does not paint the entire picture, as the last 10% of a dam’s water is difficult to use, so the useable water in the dams is approximately 20%.

The water shortage is a health crisis, as access to safe water and sanitation means opportunity for improved health; the ability to fight disease; and reduced child and maternal mortality rates. It also means reduced physical injury from carrying heavy loads of water.

The lack of water goes far beyond just that, as it impacts on so many factors of life. Time spent trying to gather water accounts for millions of rands in lost economic opportunities. In addition, access to safe water and sanitation saves time, giving families more time to pursue education and work opportunities. Unfortunately, the water shortage has hit the province’s poorest the hardest.

“Thousands of residents from Imizamo Yethu were dealt a double blow when their informal homes were destroyed in a number of fires, a situation which was exacerbated by the water shortage. As a responsible corporate citizen, DT&B is merely fulfilling its obligation to assist wherever we can. Water is just one of the most urgent needs in this community, which is why we decided to play a role in providing the aid. We consider it our duty to help in this difficult situation,” said Rowlands Peters, Head of FleetBoard Southern Africa.

“FleetBoard is Daimler’s vehicle and driver management system, but we place great emphasis on the human element, which is why we also train the various drivers to perform at the most efficient levels. From working with people on a daily basis, we understand that people are an integral part of anything that we do not only as FleetBoard, but as DT&B as a whole. That is the main reason we are always looking for more ways to assist wherever we can. Of course, we would not have been able to assist had it not been for the financial contributions from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services and Mercedes-Benz Vans, as well as logistical support from the South African Red Cross Society,” added Peters.

Additional Info

Daimler Trucks & Buses Southern Africa also supports the Trucking Wellness initiative, in collaboration with the National Bargaining Council of the Road Freight and Logistics Industry.

Key outcomes of the programme:

  • Increase understanding around, and reduce the impact of, HIV and Aids and other lifestyle diseases
  • Increase capacity to prevent and manage disease
  • Benefit employee health, life expectancy and job retention
  • Information, education and screening around health issues
  • Assist fleet owners to develop, implement, monitor and evaluate a sustainable Workplace Wellness Programme (including the development of policies, systems and processes).

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