OUR CSI PROGRAMMES
G.U.D. Holdings is a deeply rooted South African company that actively drives community upliftment with a number of socio-economic and education-based initiatives to support the underprivileged.
Our partnership with the Youth Employment Service (YES) introduces previously disadvantaged young people to the inner workings of the automotive aftermarket. The workplace programme, kicked off in 2022, involves learning about the G.U.D. Holdings operations while working in different areas of the business. In addition, the YES learners will be able to study toward a formal certificate in entrepreneurship, providing them with the knowledge needed to set up their own business in the future. A total of 55 youth will benefit from the annual programme.
We answered the call for South Africans to come together to support each other during the human coronavirus pandemic that swept through our country by developing an innovative hand-wash station that allows people at taxi ranks to wash their hands with hygienic liquid soap and water to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Over 100 mobile hand-wash stations will be sponsored to taxi ranks throughout the country in the coming months.
In 2011 G.U.D. Holdings co-funded, Filpro, an enterprise development company, to upskill and empower motor mechanics operating in previously disadvantaged communities. Filpro provides soft skills training and automotive product training to motor mechanics that operate their businesses at roadsides, from their homes and semi-established workshops. The success of the programme has grown to over 1300 motor mechanics in Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape. These trainings equip the motor mechanics to formally operate their businesses, which contributes to our economy and promotes job creation.
We highlight the importance of education by uplifting students and schools from our community. Zenzele Primary, Christel House South Africa, Fulton School for the Deaf, Open Air School and many more, are supported with bursaries and financial assistance for the operations of these schools.
We also place a key focus on youth development through sport and support this belief by being a sponsor of the Sharks Academy, a training school accredited by SA Rugby based in Durban. Over 29 talented rugby students have benefited from bursaries at The Sharks Academy since 2012.