Renault South Africa and the Motus Imperial Trust have joined forces to donate a fully equipped mini library to the Ntethelelo Foundation, a woman-run organization based in Johannesburg that aims to end domestic violence, eliminate gender inequalities, and promote the wellbeing of women and girls. The library is a safe and conducive place for learners participating in the Foundation’s programs to study after school hours.
Renault’s Marketing Director, Sithabile Maphumulo, stated that Ntethelelo’s values align with their own and they are proud to have been supporting the Foundation’s work since 2019. The main objective of Renault’s CSI programs is to bring about social change through education and the library is a perfect example of this.
The Ntethelelo Foundation, founded in 2017, uses applied drama techniques and various art methodologies to address violence against women and girls and promote meaningful social change. These techniques are designed to break the cycle of gender inequality, oppression, and violence, particularly in impoverished communities.
The library has been constructed using shipping containers and is designed to meet the needs of multiple age groups. It is stocked with 1,500 books, all of which have been specially selected to support the curriculum phases and protected with plastic film. The library also offers access to laptops and high-speed internet, providing online resources for learners.
In addition to the library donation, Renault has also partnered with Ntethelelo on various projects, including a community clean-up on Mandela Day in 2019 and 2022, and provided funding and equipment to support day-to-day operations.
Thokozani Ndaba, Ntethelelo’s Founder and Executive Director, expressed her delight at the new library, calling it a “bright and welcoming space” that provides a secure and well-resourced learning environment for the Foundation’s participants. Renault is proud to be involved in initiatives that offer safe spaces, access to learning resources, and support for girl children in building resilience and strengthening their communities.
