Mercedes-Benz and Laureus announce extended partnership in South Africa
Mercedes-Benz South Africa and the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa proudly announced a new national partnership in Cape Town today.
This partnership will see R3 million invested into the work of the Foundation in 2015. Mercedes-Benz South Africa will also be sponsoring the inaugural Laureus Golf for Good Invitational later this year as well as the first Laureus Polo Day at the beginning of 2016.
Chairman of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa, Morné du Plessis, said: “Mercedes-Benz has a long-established partnership with Laureus as one of our Global Partners. We are truly delighted to be extending this relationship in South Africa with a company renowned for its continuous innovation and commitment to nation building and community upliftment. We share the common goal of wanting to inspire young people and address social issues in disadvantaged communities through sport”.
Mercedes-Benz has actively supported professional and amateur sport on a global scale for decades and has become established as a leading partner in the fields of motor sport, football, golf, horse riding and tennis.
Says Mayur Bhana, Vice-President for Corporate affairs at MBSA: "Our involvement with the Laureus Foundation in South Africa spans more than 15 years. Laureus offers inspiration to young and vulnerable people in disadvantaged communities to turn their dreams into reality through hard work and determination. Sport also provides opportunities to learn valuable life-skills that can be applied to all areas of their lives and we are proud of the value this partnership brings to the communities in which Mercedes-Benz South Africa operates."
The announcement was made at a Mercedes-Benz and Laureus Sport for Good Foundation breakfast ahead of the Cape Town Cycle Tour. Expert opinions and insights for the race were shared by a panel of renowned cycling personalities: Doug Ryder (Principal of Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung, Laureus Ambassadors and Africa’s first pro-cycling team to quality for the Tour de France), Yann le Moenner (CEO of ASO - organisers of the Tour de France and Paris-Dakar), Grant Lottering (former SA cyclist and fundraiser for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation), David Bellairs (Director, Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust) and Ernst van Dyk (SA wheelchair racer, hand cyclist and a Laureus Ambassador).
Mercedes-Benz South Africa and the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa will be hosting four additional sports themed breakfasts over the course of 2015 as part of this unique CSI and Marketing focused partnership.
