In partnership with the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), VWSA hosted its Show of Hands volunteer event in Gqeberha.

The Show of Hands initiative, which is usually held by VWSA twice a year, challenged volunteers to clean up a 2.2-kilometre stretch of beach along Marine Drive, from Pollock Beach to Flat Rocks. In total 100 bags of litter (not including bulky litter such as old tyres, metal pipes and planks) were collected in two hours during the initiative. This litter was then sorted and recycled where appropriate.

For this initiative, WESSA provided the necessary expertise on waste collection and about which areas would bring the most impactful contribution to sustainability and provided education to young children in attendance on how to become more environmentally conscious. VWSA has also supported WESSA by funding transporting learners from various schools to their Marine Week programme in October, and the company has previously supported WESSA’s Eco Schools programme.

Environmental sustainability is a critical priority, says VWSA. Last month, the company was honoured with both the international Lean & Green Management Award and the SJM Flex Environmental Award from Exporters Eastern Cape, for its efforts in the field of environmental responsibility.

“It is no wonder that we are able to garner such accolades when our employees are clearly as passionate about the environment as we are,” says Nonkqubela Maliza, Director of Corporate and Government Affairs at VWSA. “Thank you to all the volunteers who gave of their time and energy to make a difference this weekend for this cause.”