Altron’s Netstar raises R155,000 for the Deaf

Netstar, a subsidiary of JSE-listed technology giant Altron, has raised R155,000 for eDeaf, an entity that is focused on training and empowering the Deaf. The money was raised at Netstar’s Charity Golf Day held at the Els Club in Centurion.

Netstar is engaged in a number of activities to empower people living with disabilities. This includes a long-standing learnership programme for the deaf which provides deaf learners with the opportunity to develop meaningful careers and expand their skills in the formal job sector. As a result of this programme, Netstar recently employed 11 hearing-impaired individuals as part of its diversity strategy. Prior to becoming full-time employees, the group of learners was supporting the fleets of major truck and bus operators in South Africa as part of a 12-month learnership programme which began in August 2017.

According to Pierre Bruwer, Managing Director of Netstar, “One of the values driving us as part of the Altron Group is embracing diversity and inclusion and our partnership with eDeaf enables us to directly participate in an initiative that improve opportunities for those who previously felt marginalised due to a disability in our society. This time we brought the charity element into this year’s customer golf day to further support the excellent work that organisations like eDeaf are doing. It also created awareness for their cause amongst our customers and suppliers. Their kind generosity, with the support of our MC and long-time traffic partner, Aki Anastasiou, enabled us to exceed our initial target of R 100,000 for which we are very grateful,” said Bruwer.

According to Nazareen Captieux-Bhana, CEO at eDeaf, the organisation was established in 2007 with the aim of creating change, a change that is systematic, sustainable and for the benefit and upliftment of the deaf community in South Africa. “Partnering with the private sector is one way in which we are able to ensure the sustainable employment of the Deaf. Being Deaf myself has given me a far greater insight into the needs of the deaf community and being supported by organisations like Netstar goes a long way in ensuring that the Deaf become valuable members of society.”
Referring to the initiative for people living with disabilities, Bruwer had this to say: “Today, our team of Deaf individuals are now fully qualified monitoring agents. Their monitoring and surveillance abilities are world-class, providing safety and security for drivers and other road users. Their efforts are realising cost savings for many customers, including some who were at the golf event.”

The money raised from the golf day will be used for various projects at eDeaf. This includes the purchase of much needed computer equipment, technical training and funding towards a new bus for candidates and contract teams.