- Mercedes-Benz South Africa and the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation celebrate women in sport
- Mercedes-Benz South Africa and Laureus passionate about making change through sport
- Six annual sports-themed breakfasts with seasoned sporting personalities on the panels
In honour of Women’s month, Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) and the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa hosted a women-only panel during a breakfast at its Mercedes-Benz Bedfordview Lifestyle Centre on 11 August 2017. Guests on the panel included Dr Phatho Zondi, CEO at Sport Science Institute of South Africa; Ntambi Ravele, Laureus Trustee & Chairperson of Boxing SA; Deshun Deysel, Laureus Trustee & World-renowned mountaineer and Sanani Mangisa, South African Hockey Player & Olympian.
Drawing inspiration from women’s month, Laureus Trustee and mountaineer, Deshun Deysel, stated that, “Women excel in their careers despite the criticism they face almost daily. It is important that we as women come together, stay in sports and do it well, regardless.”
MBSA is a proud country patron of The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in South Africa and the 26 community-based sports programmes that the Laureus Foundation supports in the country. The company also contributes to the Laureus Youth Empowerment through Sport (YES) programme as education and youth development is a central pillar in its Corporate Social Responsibility focus. The success of the YES programme is evident in the calibre of leaders, especially young women, it has produced over the years. “Through this partnership with the Laureus Sport For Good Foundation South Africa, we continue to make a lasting contribution in the development of the youth of South Africa through sport; supporting positive social change in the communities where Laureus is active,” expressed Vice-President of Mercedes-Benz Vans Southern Africa, Nadia Trimmel.
A number of powerful messages were expressed throughout the session, highlighting the incredible role that young women play in leading the way and breaking down social barriers.
“We need to challenge the norms and break down the social barriers that communities are facing. This can be achieved by encouraging sports at grassroots level and use mentorship as a tool to guide the youth in sport to develop and become future leaders,” exclaimed Ntambi Ravele, Laureus Trustee & Chairperson at Boxing SA.
The rest of the series of breakfasts in partnership with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa, will take place during the remainder of August and throughout September.
For further information on the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation projects, please visit http://www.laureus.co.za/.
