Samsung Electronics, known for their innovative smartphones and home appliances, recently celebrated its Foundation Day.
This year, the celebrations were marked by a two-week global Employee Volunteering Programme, with Samsung employees around the world giving back to their communities in meaningful ways.
And boy oh boy, did Samsung South Africa step up in a big way – tackling a diverse range of social issues through carefully selected volunteer projects.
Painting a Brighter Future: Buhlebemfundo Secondary School
On November 6th, Samsung employees headed to Buhlebemfundo Secondary School in Tsakane, Brakpan, to give the Grade 8 block a much-needed makeover. This wasn’t just a quick paint job either it was a full-on refurbishment, with 28 volunteers transforming six classrooms into bright, welcoming spaces for these young learners. The school had already impressed Samsung with its innovative spirit by becoming a finalist in the 2023 and 2024 editions of Samsungs Solve for Tomorrow” initiative, which encourages students from underserved communities to tackle real-world problems using STEM skills.
Fueling the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
Samsung also hosted a series of Entrepreneurship Boot Camps, providing young, aspiring business minds with practical training and mentorship. The boot camps, held in Gauteng and at the University of the Western Cape, focused on essential skills like finance, legal compliance, digital marketing, and sales. They also awarded a total of R1 million in seed funding to six standout entrepreneurs, along with six months of business coaching and mentoring. It’s a fantastic initiative that empowers young South Africans to pursue their dreams and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
Tackling E-Waste
Turning their attention to environmental sustainability with an e-waste collection campaign, Samsung employees were encouraged to bring in their old electronic devices, which were then donated to a local recycling company. It’s a small but important step towards addressing the growing problem of e-waste that we are faced with.
A Culture of Giving Back
Lenhle Khoza, Manager of BBBEE & Transformation at Samsung Electronics South Africa, emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of volunteerism and social responsibility within the organization. “Through these initiatives, we not only gave back but also hope we contributed to stimulating a culture of volunteerism and social responsibility within our organisation and beyond.”
Well Done Samsung! Just let the GeekSquad know next time, and we will gladly tag along!