COUNTRY PATRON | A DECADE OF SHARED VISION

At Mercedes-Benz, our purpose as a company is to “first, move the world”. We take pride in the fact that we are the inventor of the automobile, and for 65 years in South Africa, we have remained committed to moving people and goods all over the world safely with innovative technologies and making a sustainable impact in the communities where we operate.

Our partnership with Laureus Sport For Good Foundation demonstrates our purpose and commitment. In the past decade, we have witnessed the transformative power of sports in driving socio-economic development.

In 2024, we celebrate 10 years as country patron with Laureus, marking a significant milestone in our shared journey.

Together, we have focused on promoting development nationally and the results have been nothing short of inspiring. Our strategic emphasis on initiatives such as the YES Programme, expanding our impact in the Eastern Cape through the Skateistan programme, underscores our commitment to the development of young people through sports.

Equally noteworthy is the establishment of the Incubation Hub, an embodiment of our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in East London, where our manufacturing facility is based. In collaboration with LSFG, we sought out non-profitable organisations (NPOs) to create practical and sustainable solutions for addressing under-development in the Eastern Cape. Since its inception in 2022, fifteen non-profits have received access to knowledge and skills to enhance their programmatic sustainability and gained access to almost R10 million in funding.

In the past year, 2023, we continued to build on the successes achieved in our journey with Laureus. The Mercedes-Benz and Friends Cycle Tour honoured the significant milestone of 65 years of manufacturing excellence by hosting a cycling tour stretching 65km on the open road with renowned cyclist Grant Lottering leading the peloton. This event not only showcased our commitment to manufacturing excellence, but also emphasized the spirit of camaraderie and community engagement that defines our brand.

Our partnership has played a pivotal role in achieving positive change, thanks to the diverse perspectives and experiences we bring as partners. Our developmental interventions in the Eastern Cape serve as a blueprint for extending these initiatives throughout South Africa, fostering sustainable impact through Sport for Development (S4D) in disadvantaged communities.

Looking ahead, we are enthusiastic about the prospect of continuing to generate long-term value and sustainable impact together with Laureus Sport for Good.