Isuzu

GQEBERHA – ISUZU Motors South Africa (IMSAf) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mo Ebrahim as the new Marketing Communications Specialist for Commercial Vehicles and Aftersales .

“We are excited to welcome Mo to our marketing team,” says Ziphindiwe Ngcobo, Department Executive: Marketing at ISUZU. “His invigorating approach to sales and dealer development, combined with his passion for the automotive industry, makes him the perfect fit for this role. We are confident that Mo will help us strengthen our market presence for Commercial Vehicles (CV) andAftersales through enhancing our communication efforts.”

Mo’s journey in the automotive industry began during his studies at the University of Johannesburg, where his passion for the field led him to switch from IT Management to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management. He joined ISUZU as a graduate trainee under the Commercial Vehicles team. This role exposed him to various functions within sales, including distribution, marketing, sales analytics, and dealer and business development.

His success in sales forecasting led to his assignment as a business partner to the dealer network, supporting truck dealers in achieving their forecasts. Over the past several years, Mo has developed a deep understanding of the market and the forces that influence it through direct work with the dealer network.

In his new role as Commercial Vehicle and Aftersales Marketing Communications Specialist, he intends to leverage his experience to support the dealer network and IMSAf in building a strong, unique market presence. “My goal is to ensure dealers are well-equipped to market themselves in their distinctive regions and to communicate the value of IMSAf’s products and services in a way that fosters lasting customer relationships and genuine brand connection,” he says.

“I am eager to collaborate with my marketing colleagues to ensure that our Customers understand our story and connect deeply with our products and brand. Additionally, I look forward to networking and learning from experienced individuals in the marketing industry,” he adds.

Gqeberha and Johannesburg, 31 July – ISUZU Motors South Africa (ISUZU) and its partners have joined the world in honouring the legacy of Tata Nelson Mandela with impactful initiatives through its ISUZU CARES; I CARE TOO employee volunteerism program, donating 200 school desks, establishing a garden, painting classrooms, reading and encouraging play.

ISUZU takes advantage of the whole of July to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s life and the values he stood for. This year’s Nelson Mandela International Day was celebrated under the theme: “It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity”. Aligning with the theme, ISUZU, in collaboration with Gift of the Givers, donated 100 single desks, 100 double desks, beanies, toiletries, and bulk school stationery to EZ Kabane High School in kwa-Dwesi township, Gqeberha. This donation will enhance the educational environment particularly for the 850 learners from disadvantaged backgrounds and generally boost morale at the school.

Mr. Banele Zondani, Principal at EZ Kabane High School, expressed his gratitude: “We are extremely pleased that ISUZU Motors South Africa and Gift of the Givers have chosen to support our school. The donation of furniture, the planting of seeds, the painting of classrooms and the donation of garden equipment and other essentials will indeed go a long way in restoring dignity and boosting the morale of all those involved with our school.”

ISUZU employees came in numbers to support the event and rolled up their sleeves to establish a legacy vegetable garden to support the school’s feeding scheme. Additionally, the school hall, primarily used for exams, received a makeover with fresh paint and cleaning efforts from the ISUZU team.

Ms Corene Conradie, Gift of the Givers Eastern Cape Project Manager, highlighted the importance of such collaborations: “At Gift of the Givers, we work with like-minded organisations to find sustainable solutions that bring hope and restore dignity to the most vulnerable. We are intentional about making a positive impact in our communities by contributing towards the creation of an environment conducive to the improved education of the disadvantaged. We are inspired by Tata Nelson Mandela’s spirit of Ubuntu and nation-building to make this contribution to EZ Kabane.”

Extending their reach to Johannesburg, ISUZU in partnership with the Glen, Williams Hunt dealership, supported ‘Door of Hope Children’s Mission,’ a home for abandoned and neglected children aged 0-6 years, operating for 25 years in Berea. ISUZU and Williams Hunt dealership donated R100 000 and other essential items to the home. Employees from ISUZU and Williams Hunt spent a fun-filled day with the children, heeding the call to action to recognise their individual power to make an imprint and change the world around them.

Door of Hope Donor Engagement Manager, Ms Kathy Groome expressed her appreciation: “A large number of babies are abandoned every month in Johannesburg, so our work must continue. The timely intervention from ISUZU strengthens our efforts to rescue abandoned babies and give them hope and a future.”

“Community upliftment is at the heart of ISUZU’s corporate social responsibility strategy and is aligned to Tata Madiba’s passion and belief that our children are our greatest treasure. They are our future. Creating an environment that is safe and conducive for children is critical. We strive to make a positive impact in the lives of children because they are our future”, said Mr Lebogang Makoloi, Department Executive Corporate Affairs ISUZU MOTORS South Africa.

ISUZU Motors South Africa’s initiatives this Mandela Month exemplify their commitment to driving education, building community development, and promoting conservation sustainability, honouring the legacy of Nelson Mandela and embodying the true spirit of Ubuntu.

ISUZU Motors South Africa (ISUZU) is dedicated to empowering youth by investing in education at every stage, creating a full cycle of youth development opportunities from early childhood through to high school, tertiary education and providing youth employment opportunities, to build a better tomorrow.

Through a partnership with Rally to Read, ISUZU invested over R1 million to enhance literacy skills among primary school learners. This initiative is focused on fostering a passion for reading and providing foundational support for building a brighter future.

ISUZU has adopted St Albans Primary School, situated adjacent to the St Albans informal settlement in Gqeberha. To ensure clean water supply, an industrial borehole and water harvesting tanks were installed. ISUZU also announced a R1.2 million investment to improve the school’s infrastructure, creating a conducive learning environment.

“ISUZU is dedicated to making a lasting impact in education and youth development. By investing in today’s youth, we are investing in the future. ISUZU is committed to driving education and providing resources and opportunities for young people to thrive,” said Mr Celestin Ndhlovu, ISUZU Motors South Africa’s Vice President for Planning, Marketing and Corporate Affairs.

Since 2018, ISUZU has funded Mathematics education for Grade 4 to 7 learners at Missionvale Care Centre, Gqeberha. This initiative has significantly improved Mathematics comprehension and application, benefiting 606 learners and improving their results year on year.

For the last four years, ISUZU has been the co-title sponsor of The Herald ISUZU schools quiz underlining its commitment to boldly build the future through promoting literacy, learning, knowledge, and growth amongst high school learners from diverse schools and backgrounds.

Furthermore, ISUZU has supported the Youth Employment Service (YES) programme since 2020, providing 273 young people with opportunities to develop new skills and gain meaningful workplace experience. 30% of these graduates have secured permanent employment at ISUZU.

ISUZU has relaunched its partnership with the Nelson Mandela University Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Centre (GMMDC), investing over R2 million since 2018. This program has benefited over 12,000 high school learners, providing comprehensive Mathematics and Physical Sciences learning resources.

“We believe in the transformative power of education, especially in supporting initiatives that support Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning, promoting literacy. As we prepare for the future, we need to ensure that our youth are well-equipped to navigate and excel in an ever-evolving world,” Ndhlovu continued.

As a responsible corporate citizen, ISUZU will continue to drive interventions focused on youth development in pursuit of a sustainable future. By investing in today’s youth, ISUZU is investing in the future.

ISUZU Motors South Africa (ISUZU) is proud to announce its partnership with Rally to Read, an organisation committed to promoting literacy and education in South Africa. This collaboration further emphasises ISUZU’s dedication to driving positive change and empowering communities through education.

Results from the most recent Progress International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) showed that in 2021, 81% of grade 4 learners across all official languages cannot read for meaning. Rally to Read, in partnership with sponsors across the public and private sector, deliver books, teaching aids and other much-needed resources to schools with the aim of helping improve literacy levels.

With R16 million raised, Rally To Read will fund 12 regional rallies in 2024 and one of those rallies is being done in partnership with ISUZU.

ISUZU and Rally to Read delivered boxes of books to three primary schools namely, Khulile in Motherwell, Kaysar Ngxwana in kwaZakhele and lastly St Albans, with the aim of promoting a love for reading, writing, and the enhancement of literacy skills among South African youth. The boxes consist of fiction and non-fiction books in Afrikaans and in isiXhosa as well as classroom resources, laptops and laminating sets.

“We firmly believe in the transformative power of education and are committed to investing in youth and communities within which we operate,” says Lebogang Makoloi, ISUZU’s Department Executive for Corporate Affairs. “As a responsible corporate citizen, we recognise the importance of improving literacy from an early age. Our partnership with Rally to Read reinforces our commitment to driving positive change and empowering the next generation of leaders,” adds Makoloi.

The impact of Rally to Read extends far beyond financial contributions. Through personal interactions with children, donors witness firsthand the transformative power of full literacy, bridging the gap between adversity and opportunity for rural children. Scientific assessments conducted annually reveal a significant improvement in literacy levels and reading comprehension after three years in the program. Many former Rally to Read learners are now enrolled at South African universities, highlighting the long-term impact of the organisation’s initiatives.

“As part of driving our story of caring, collaboration and hope, we are excited to embark on this journey with ISUZU Motors South Africa where we are delivering much-needed learning resources to three primary schools in Gqeberha. At the core of our agenda is the primary focus on promoting literacy at grassroots level through providing teachers and learners access to quality resources and training,” says READ Project Manager, Sibhekaphi Sibanda.

To ensure the sustainability of the project extensive teacher literacy training and digital literacy training will be rolled out as part of the project. In addition, parents will also receive training to support literacy beyond the classroom.

ISUZU is also actively engaged in various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects focused on education and community development. The partnership with the Nelson Mandela Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Centre (GMMDC) program, for instance, provides three high schools with Mathematics and Physical Sciences learning resources through an offline/online platform, with an emphasis on improving results in these subjects. This initiative also includes an incubator program in coding and STEAM interactive workshops, offering learners hands-on learning experiences to develop essential skills through play.

In addition, ISUZU supports the Missionvale Care Centre by providing annual funding to employ a mathematics teacher. This funding enables the centre to improve mathematics results and provide foundational support for the subject, benefiting learners from Grades 4 to 7.

ISUZU is a co-title sponsor of the recently concluded Herald ISUZU Schools quiz aimed at fostering development in literacy and to support learning, knowledge and growth through a school’s competition.

By partnering with Rally to Read and investing in educational initiatives like GMMDC and Missionvale Care Centre, ISUZU demonstrates its commitment to driving positive change and empowering communities through education.

Gqeberha, May 2024 – Six decades ago, ISUZU Trucks began its journey in South Africa with a simple yet powerful vision: to provide reliable, durable, and innovative commercial vehicles to meet the evolving needs of businesses across the nation. As we celebrate our 60th anniversary of truck, we reflect on a rich history filled with milestones, achievements, excellence, and a steadfast commitment to offer transport solutions to large fleets and single-unit operators alike.

Since our inception, ISUZU Trucks has been synonymous with quality and performance. We entered the South African market in 1964 introducing the iconic ISUZU Elfin TKG 10 petrol-engine 1½ ton truck, marking the beginning of a legacy that would shape the transportation industry for decades to come.

Over the years, we have continuously raised the bar, introducing groundbreaking technologies and pioneering advancements that have redefined the standards of excellence in commercial vehicles and consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation to deliver vehicles that exceed expectations. Securing the top spot in the cab-over-chassis market in the medium- and heavy commercial vehicle segments for 11 years consecutively is testament of our trucks’ unwavering reliability and durability.

One of our key pillars of success lies in our relentless pursuit of technological advancement and environmental sustainability. As part of our 5-step alternative propulsion journey towards full Carbon Neutral New Energy Vehicles, in addition to EURO 5 models already available, we are excited to announce that Diesel Dual Fuel is now available as an option on 20 of our truck models, offering customers a more sustainable and efficient transportation solution. The recently introduced NPR 400 Compressed Natural Gas model further expands our range of environmentally friendly vehicles.

As we commemorate 60 years of ISUZU Trucks in South Africa, we extend our sincere gratitude to our customers, partners, and employees for their unwavering support and trust. Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones and overcome challenges, and we remain committed to driving innovation, excellence, and sustainability in the years to come.

ISUZU Motors South Africa proudly announces its new partnership with Agri Eastern Cape, solidifying its dedication to supporting the growth and sustainability of the agricultural sector in the Eastern Cape.

“Our partnership with Agri Eastern Cape aligns with our values, collaboration, and community support. This partnership underscores our commitment to the agricultural community and reflects our belief in the importance of sustainable growth within the sector, “says Celestin Ndhlovu, Vice President of Planning, Marketing and Corporate Communications.

Agri Eastern Cape is a membership-based organisation and strategically aligns with external stakeholders who have the resources to empower their operations.

Jason Kümm, Operations Manager, Agri Eastern Cape says, “It is extremely important for Agri Eastern Cape to partner with brands with not only a strong local presence but who also understand the importance of the Agricultural Sector and have a vested interest in the success of the Commercial Farmers of the Eastern Cape.”

The work done by the working team at Agri EC includes a lot of travel, far and wide and at times to some extremely remote areas. A partnership such as this one is not only an enabler from a vehicle perspective but also from an empowerment perspective.

“While our core business is the well-being of the commercial farmers, there is a large sector of our work that focuses on rural communities at large which assists all community members in Rural South Africa. Isuzu South Africa, through the sponsorship of this vehicle, have made a massive contribution to supporting these functions which includes, but is not limited to: Safety in rural areas, Trade and Economics, and Environmental affairs.” -adds Jason Kümm, Operations Manager, Agri Eastern Cape.

ISUZU Motors South Africa is dedicated to producing reliable products tailored to meet the specific needs of the agricultural sector. “With a steadfast commitment to quality and reliability, ISUZU continually strives to deliver vehicles and solutions that farmers and agricultural businesses can depend on. Whether it’s robust utility vehicles for field work, durable trucks for transporting goods, or efficient machinery for various agricultural operations, ISUZU’s lineup is designed to withstand the rigour of farm life while maximising productivity and efficiency,” Ndhlovu adds.

The ISUZU Foundation has invested R118 200 to transform an area previously marred by weeds, broken glass, rubble, and stones into a safe and vibrant space for Grade R learners at Grayville Primary School to engage in impactful learning through playful activities.

Grayville Primary School, a government-funded institution which serves 1 317 learners from low-income households and previously disadvantaged communities, grapples with financial limitations, relying on fundraisers and external support to supplement its budget.

“This initiative emphasises the commitment from ISUZU and its Dealer Network to make a meaningful impact in supporting educational initiatives and community development projects,” remarked Marcia Mayaba, ISUZU Department Executive Dealer and Business Development. Mayaba continued, “NMI ISUZU, located in Johannesburg, played a pivotal role in bringing this project to fruition, highlighting the critical role of ISUZU Dealerships in uplifting communities within which ISUZU operates.”

“Partnering with ISUZU Foundation allows us to amplify efforts in addressing pressing needs and enhancing the well-being of the young within our community,” said Vivek Singh, Dealer Principal NMI ISUZU.

Despite financial constraints, Grayville Primary School remains steadfast in providing essential services, including a self-funded feeding program benefitting 270 underprivileged children, with contributions from teachers, students, and the local community.

“Creating an enriching learning environment extends beyond academics; it’s about fostering a safe and nurturing space for our learners to thrive,” remarked Afeera Khan, Principal of Grayville Primary School. Khan continued, “The paving project by ISUZU Foundation not only improves our facilities but also exemplifies ISUZU’s dedication to the holistic development of our learners.”

ISUZU Foundation remains dedicated to supporting educational initiatives and empowering communities across Africa.

East London, 30 April 2024 – ISUZU Foundation has installed a prefab classroom facility and upgraded sanitation infrastructure at kwaKhanya Daycare Early Childhood Development Centre in Scenery Park Township, East London in efforts to advance education and community development initiatives in areas within which ISUZU operates.

KwaKhanya Daycare Centre, serving 25 children aged 0-5 years, run by three devoted teachers and a principal, has long grappled with inadequate infrastructure, particularly during adverse weather conditions. Principal Yoliswa Bulana expressed gratitude for ISUZU Foundation’s intervention, stating, “The old classroom posed significant challenges, hindering our ability to provide a safe and effective learning environment for the children. ISUZU Foundation’s support has provided a sustainable solution, for which we are immensely thankful.”

The Foundation’s investment has facilitated the purchase and placement of a prefabricated classroom, equipped with modern amenities to enrich the learning experience for young learners. Additionally, new toilet facilities have been constructed, addressing critical sanitation needs and fostering a hygienic environment conducive to learning and growth.

Marcia Mayaba, ISUZU Department Executive Dealer and Business Development, remarked, “We are thrilled to witness the transformation of educational infrastructure at kwaKhanya Daycare Centre. Education is the cornerstone of thriving communities, and our commitment to empowering young minds through enhanced facilities underscores our dedication to fostering positive change.”

The handover ceremony, attended by ISUZU Foundation representatives, local community leaders, educators, and parents, served as a testament to the collaborative efforts aimed at promoting educational excellence and holistic development. Meyers Motors ISUZU in East London, a longstanding community member for 90 years, played a pivotal role in the successful completion of this project. Richard Ferrant, Chief Operating Officer for Meyers Motor Group, emphasised their enduring commitment to educational initiatives that uplift impoverished communities and restore dignity for teachers and learners.

ISUZU Foundation extends gratitude to all stakeholders, including project partners, volunteers, and supporters, whose steadfast commitment has made this initiative possible. As ISUZU Foundation continues to champion impactful initiatives, it remains committed in its mission to empower communities for generations to come.