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GMSA 'investing in South Africa's future'

19 November 2010

Speaking at the opening of General Motors South Africa's new parts distribution centre at Coega outside Port Elizabeth, Deputy Trade and Industry Minister Elizabeth Thabathe commended GMSA for helping to educate its employees and their communities, and urged other multinationals to follow suit.

"It is very encouraging to note the efforts of General Motors South Africa towards the education of their workers, their families and communities, as well as in poverty alleviation initiatives within the communities in which [it] operates," Thabathe said at the official opening of the centre in the Coega industrial development zone last week.

General Motors Africa MD Edgar Lourencon, also speaking at the opening, said that General Motors SA had invested over R100-million in the education of its employees and their children since 2004.

Investing in education was also an investment in the future of the country, the deputy minister said, urging "other multinational and transnational companies [to] emulate the example set by GMSA, its holding company and partners worldwide".

Uplifting lives of communities

Thabethe said GMSA had evolved not only as an employer but as a major player and contributor to uplifting the lives of communities around it through its corporate social responsibility programme.

The government was please to witness the continued contribution of companies such as GMSA to South Africa's automotive industry, she said.

GMSA's new parts distribution centre, a massive 38 000-square metre structure, represents a total investment of R250-million and is home to 120 employees. It aims to optimise storage and logistical operations and accelerate the distribution of parts and accessories to GMSA's 139 local dealers, as well as to Israel and 10 other African countries.

SAinfo reporter