Proudly South African and Adreach Announce Strategic Partnership to Uplift Local Businesses

Proudly South African and Adreach Announce Strategic Partnership to Uplift Local Businesses. Proudly South African and Adreach are excited to announce a strategic partnership aimed at uplifting local businesses and benefiting the South African economy. This partnership reflects a shared commitment from both organisations to promote and support Proudly South African entrepreneurs and small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs).

Zuza Mbatha, the newly appointed CEO of Adreach, expressed his enthusiasm for this partnership: “In the spirit of Ubuntu, which embodies shared values and principles, this partnership signifies our dedication to collective growth. Both Proudly South African and Adreach recognise that when we invest in local businesses, we strengthen our economy and uplift our communities. Together, we can create opportunities that transform lives and pave the way for a brighter future.”

Proudly South African echoes this sentiment, emphasising how closely aligned the two organisations are in their missions. Happy MaKhumalo Ngidi, acting CEO for Proudly South African stated: “We are thrilled to join forces with Adreach. Our missions are interconnected; by working together, we can amplify our efforts to encourage local procurement and consumer habits that favour South African products and services. This partnership embodies a commitment to job creation and economic empowerment.”

Adreach was founded with a mission centred on empowering small businesses by providing them with affordable advertising solutions. Through initiatives like street pole advertisements, Adreach offers accessible platforms that allow smaller enterprises to increase their visibility and reach their target audiences effectively and economically, hence we decided to join Proudly South African to afford their members access to our advertising medium at a discounted rate.

Founded in 2001, Proudly South African emerged from the Presidential Job Summit convened by the late former President Nelson Mandela to combat the challenges of poverty, inequality, and unemployment. As South Africa’s official buy-local advocacy campaign, Proudly South African works with both public and private sectors to promote local procurement through its member-based organisation. Only companies that meet strict local content and quality standards have the privilege of displaying the Proudly South African logo.

The campaign’s clarion call, “Buy Local to Create Jobs,” encourages consumers to shift their purchasing habits to support local enterprises, thereby contributing to economic growth and sustainability.Adreach stands as a leader in Out-of-Home advertising and integrated marketing solutions, boasting an inventory of 40,000 street poles nationwide, making it the third-largest Out-of-Home media owner in South Africa in terms of stock availability. With specialised knowledge in street pole advertising, Adreach manages over 90% of this medium, ensuring high visibility at cost-effective prices.

Founded in 1998, Adreach has routinely demonstrated an ethos of social responsibility, driving community development and supporting the upliftment of small businesses across various sectors. Adreach is proud to enable over 2,000 advertisers, ranging from blue-chip companies to emerging SMMEs.

Both organisations share a rich history of engaging in community upliftment through a myriad of impactful projects. Adreach’s commitment to community development is embodied in its “Adopt-a-Project” philosophy, which focuses on sustainable initiatives that enhance the lives of individuals and facilitate positive change in communities. Here are some notable projects:

• Adreach Adopt-a-Light: Launched in cooperation with the City of Joburg, this initiative was pivotal for electrifying areas like Alexandra and Soweto. The project provided essential street lighting, ensuring safer streets and improving the quality of life for residents.
• SCARC: This initiative spearheaded the Youth Development Program, successfully teaching over 1,000 young South Africans to swim, while also using canoeing as a platform to impart vital life skills. The program’s success inspired the film “Beyond the River,” showcasing how sports can uplift and enrich communities.
• Adreach WastePreneurs: This project aims to empower waste pickers by providing them with stable income opportunities. By adopting waste pickers, Adreach introduced an initiative that combines revenue generation with sustainable recycling practices, helping transform lives while addressing environmental issues.
• Adopt-a-River: Focused on environmental sustainability, this initiative brings together corporate partners, governmental bodies, and community stakeholders to address the health of South Africa’s rivers.
• Support 10000: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Adreach launched this initiative to support the most vulnerable members of society, including waste pickers, car guards, and traffic light waste collectors. This program provided essential food parcels and hygiene products to those in desperate need.
• Adopt-a-Safe Passage: Recognising the importance of safety during the pandemic, this initiative aimed to implement COVID-19 compliant measures in over 500 taxis at the Bara Taxi Rank. The program included sanitation solutions and the promotion of health and safety practices to reduce infection risks.

These initiatives not only enhance lives but also empower individuals, reflecting the companies’ dedication to societal betterment. The partnership between Proudly South African and Adreach promises to deepen the impact that both organisations can have on local economies and communities. By combining their resources and expertise, they aim to foster greater awareness of the importance of buying local, while also creating opportunities for small businesses to thrive in a challenging economic landscape.

As they embark on this collaborative journey, both organisations are committed to advancing the principles of Ubuntu in action, demonstrating that through partnership, shared goals, and collective effort, they can drive meaningful change and uplift communities across South Africa.