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Social Responsibility


A HEALTHY BOOST FOR CITY VENDORS

Informal traders who line the pavements of Cape Town’s main road (Adderley Street) received a welcome boost of 16 new mobile vending trolleys as part of a joint initiative between MHG, Qualsa and Cape Town's Central Improvement District (CCID). The units have been especially designed to be self-contained, lockable and structurally sound, ensuring safe and easy storage of goods. Now vendors can focus on the most important job of the day - increasing sales and eventually moving from informal to formal trading. The project aims to improve conditions for vendors outside the MHG/Qualsa offices and, ultimately, upgrade Cape Town's public areas.


‘Working together to help build pride in our local communities’. The new mobile vending trolleys were unveiled in Adderley Street, Cape Town on 20 February 2008.

At the 2007 BHF Conference, Qualsa demonstrated its commitment to community development by sponsoring a charity in the municipal area where the event was held. The Moses Kotane municipality in the North West nominated St Catherina’s Hospice as its charity of choice. Qualsa invited other healthcare industry stakeholders to partner with them in raising funds for the charity. Corporate Affairs Executive, Kusile Mthunzi-Hairwadzi, handed over a staggering R60 000 to the Mayor of the municipality, who in turn handed over the cheque to the St Catherina’s Hospice representative.

Overwhelming response from Qualsa staff in supporting the company's chosen charities - Beautiful Gates (2005/2006) and the Marion Institute (2006/2007).

Funding the appointment of a full-time research co-ordinator, Mr Nathan Wilson, for the Ukwanda Centre for Rural Health. Qualsa's investment in this initiative enables passionate, talented and dedicated professionals like Nathan to make a real difference in rural healthcare. "I get the community on board. Once I have their buy-in, the overall impact of the initial project is that much greater since they take ownership, drive and build on it from there."

 

Heidi Bowman hands over the cheque to Somerset Hospital's Diane Pohls (Head of Fundraising) and Ricardo Bell (Fundraising Coordinator).

Somerset Hospital Donations

R100 000 donation to Somerset Hospital in 2005 to purchase an ultrasound machine to detect TB in HIV patients

 

R50 000 donation to Somerset Hospital in 2006 towards the purchase of an X-ray machine to be used in the hospital's casualty area


R100 000 to University of Stellenbosch Business School in 2006 - sponsorship of programme in Health Economics.

 

The course, which has its emphasis on Health Technology Assessment, is a one-year, post-basic course, aimed at managers in the Health Industry in SA. Qualsa's Professors Manie de Klerk and Praneet Valodia are both lecturers in this course. Manie de Klerk is also the coordinator of the course.