Press Releases

MTN staff in Africa and the Middle East recommit to giving back to communities

MTN Group staff across the company’s 21 operations in Africa and the Middle East will once again embark on a month-long Y’ello Care programme, a volunteerism campaign that involves every employee in community building projects in addition to the MTN Foundation initiatives.

Launched in 2007, this year’s Y’ello Care is aimed at achieving more participation and ensuring sustainability of the culture of volunteerism among all MTN staff, regardless of where they are situated in the company’s footprint.

From 01 June 2008, staff will be involved in various community projects, including initiatives to support disadvantaged children with school work; clinics, healthcare facilities and other social support and development programmes such as hospices and orphanages; neighbourhood clean-ups and environment awareness campaigns; football clinics; and donations in kind.

Says MTN Group Spokesperson and Executive for Corporate Affairs, Ms Nozipho January-Bardill: “At MTN, we believe we have a responsibility to give back to the customers and communities that contribute to our success. Y’ello Care is one of the initiatives that reaffirm this commitment. I am encouraged by last year’s enthusiastic staff participation in this initiative and I believe in this year we will make an even bigger impact on those who are in need.”

This year’s programme coincides with a period in which the MTN Group is involved in another caring drive to bring relief to those affected by recent unrest related to xenophobia in South Africa. The Group contributed over R2,1 million in cash and in kind to support the South African Red Cross Society (Red Cross) in their efforts to help those affected and displaced.

MTN also launched a drive in which the company will also donate R10 000 for every goal scored at this month’s Africa qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

Commenting on the recent incidents in South Africa, January-Bardill says as a South African multinational, MTN confirms that these unfortunate events and the negative behaviour of a few do not reflect the values of MTN, South Africa and the continent.

“We are making a significant contribution of over R5 million and we have aligned ourselves with like-minded organizations like the Red Cross to respond to the humanitarian need,” says January Bardill.

While the reward for the caring intervention is fulfillment for making positive contributions in their communities, as an incentive, the MTN subsidiary that secures the most number of staff participants will earn Group-wide recognition and the Y’ello Care Award. This award includes a cash prize of US$100,000 that will augment a community care and CSR budget for the winning MTN subsidiary and a commissioned trophy to keep for a year.

Apart from Y’ello Care, the MTN Group has formally established foundations in South Africa, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Uganda, Sudan, Yemen, Congo Brazzaville, Guinea Bissau and Benin. MTN aims to establish a foundation in all its 21 operations.