IMESA KZN YP² Amazing Race – Engineer Edition

Denso SA were proud to have sponsored and supported the IMESA KZN YP2 Amazing Race – Engineer Edition. It was an incredible day of competition, determination and inspiring displays of teamwork and we were impressed by the participants efforts and commitment. Our team had a blast cheering on the participants as they tackled their challenges, which included the Denso puzzle, Denso pipe wrapping challenge, Flange encapsulation and ST 100 epoxy application.

Project Partnership between The F.B Coales Charitable Trust and Khanyisela (Northern Drakensberg Projects)

Amidst the majesty of the Drakensberg Mountains, a World Heritage Site in South Africa, are rural areas of incredible poverty. Parents having to work relatively far from home and including extensive travel times.

The Creche’s and Pre-schools are integral to the welfare, safety, and initial introduction to learning for many toddlers and young children.

The F.B Coales Trust through an already strong relationship by Winn and Coales (Denso) with Khanyisela looked to assist the dire needs and projects related to three of these Pre-Schools. These projects, now finalised, have changed the lives of the educators and children.

Mpumelelo Pre-school: Replacement of Toilet block

The destruction of the old unsafe pit toilets and building of new fit-for-purpose toilets, safely sized for the young children.

Listening to the educators and their thankfulness for this hugely impactful change, something many of us take for granted, was incredibly heartwarming.

Sivukile Pre-school: installation of classroom ceilings

The Northern Drakensberg has temperature ranges on between -5 degrees Celsius in winter to 35 degrees Celsius in summer. These ceilings, insulate in the winter, and maintain temperatures in summer. This allows children to be comfortable in their learning environment. The project completion has changed the look and feel of the classrooms, making it welcoming and a great place to spend the day as the children learn and play.

Little Flowers: New classroom

This Pre-school was started by an educator suffering from Polio, who in Covid, lost her income. She was determined to serve her community and opened Little Flowers Pre-school. This added classroom had a massive effect of her school as it allowed the youngest children to be separated from the older and thus allowing minimal disruption in the older learning classes. This school is base din an area called Hawaii in the Amazinzi district and is such a colourful beacon of hope.

Denso South Africa’s ongoing support of Royal Drakensberg Primary School

This school, originally built by the Cavern Hotel’s owners to school their own children, has grown substantially, and is supported by a number of organisations. Denso South Africa provides funds annually to pay for two learners to attend – both from the impoverished Amazinzi district, as are most of the other learners.  I had the privilege of meeting “our” two learners and had some wonderful conversations together with the school principal Thobani Ndlovu. They are so proud to be at this school and are progressing well.

The photo with its stunning mountain backdrop which has recently been given the status of a National Conservation reserve.

Travel Dairy: Northern Drakensberg

The visit to the school and pre-schools was soul invigorating, but true to South African standard a few guests had been assisted along their way during the trip.

The first was a frog in the classroom, which for the young children was terrifying, and then we had to assist, very gently of course, a local Puff Adder to ensure it was not killed on the pathways. Fortunately, the Baboons behaved themselves this time, and did not get closer than 5 meters the one day! Another superb weekend in Africa.

The F. B. Coales Charitable Trust and Denso South Africa – Making a difference – Part 2

Further to the F.B Coales Charitable trust and Denso South Africa contributing to three projects mentioned in Part 1 in December 2023, we are delighted to show you the before and after pictures of two of the projects, whilst the third is underway, as well as some snippets from the beneficiaries.

“My name is Alina Hlongwane. I am from here in Zwelisha. I grew up at home with my mother and father. I grew as an only child because all my siblings passed on and I never met them. Growing with parents without ever attending creche is not something that I encourage. There were no creches around, we went to school when we were seven years old to start class 1 (Grade 1). Having never seen a teacher before or charts. Today, the children that attend creche, they are smart.

“We are so thankful to Denso and Khanyisela for building toilets and putting up ceilings. We did not know ceilings growing up because we lived in thatched houses or those with corrugated iron. When it rains the droplets make a loud sound and you cannot hear what the teacher says. …”

“We admire the work done (building of toilets and cleanup of the rubble/debris) because we are very comfortable at home knowing that we won’t get a report that the children were injured while playing because of the rubble. The environment they are in, is perfect.

The toilets have been very helpful, there are three different sizes, so even the two-year-old children are able to use them independently. We are very grateful to Denso and Khanyisela. They have helped us a lot!” – Nomusa Ndlovu

The F. B. Coales Charitable Trust and Denso South Africa – Making a difference – Part 1

We often take essentials such as space, toilets and the warmth and protective nature of shelter for granted but in the Northern Drakensberg a valuable contribution by the F. B. Coales Charitable Trust and Denso South Africa who have stepped in, is helping provide these essentials to the small pre-schools that serve the Amazizi community.

Denso South Africa currently supports the Khanyisela Projects in the far reaches of the Northern Drakensberg where work is being done to transform communities through quality education initiatives. The Khanyisela Project’s mission is to provide opportunities where children are stimulated, loved, and developed in their early years, building strong foundations for future learning. The Khanyisela Projects currently works to improve the lives of over 650 pre-school children across a wide, remote area in this area of the beautiful Northern Drakensberg. (References: www.khanyiselaprojects.co.za)

Three projects have been agreed upon relating to the buildings and enhancement of the learning environments of the young learners at three separate pre-schools. Over the course of the coming two months or so, these will be completed and, in the next edition we will present the completed projects and the impact they will have.

NEW APPOINTMENT AT DENSO SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Ismail Sheik as Managing Director of Denso South Africa (Pty) Ltd as of 1 July 2023. 

Please join us in congratulating Ismail every success in his new role.

Ismail joined Denso South Africa on 1 September 2011 and has held the following positions:

• Quality Controller September 2011 – June 2013
• Laboratory Technician July 2013 – June 2015
• Laboratory Manager July 2015 – June 2018
• Technical Manager July 2018 – December 2019
• Senior Technical Manager January 2020 – June 2021
• Technical Development Director July 2021 – April 2023
• Chief Operating Officer April 2023 – June 2023

The Spirit of Giving: The F.B. Coales No.4 (Family) Trust

Over the last 12 months, the F.B. Coales No.4 (Family) Trust has donated over £272,000 to 106 charities; but this is not just a recent endeavour. The Winn & Coales International Ltd. (WCI) group of companies have been donating to charitable organisations for many years – the roots of which can be traced back to a notable figure in our history…

Who is F.B. Coales?

Frank B. Coales was the second Chairman of the company known today as Winn & Coales International Ltd. Paul Winn – the first Chairman and the company’s founder – appointed Frank Coales as his partner in 1933 and gave their names to the company which has continued to grow and prosper.

What is the F.B. Coales No.4 (Family) Trust?

The Trust was set up many years ago by the late Frank Coales as a way of giving back to communities in the vicinity of the company’s head office. As a prominent local employer in West Norwood, Frank Coales wanted to reward and support the many people (and their families) in the local area who had helped the company to develop and thrive.

Who has benefited from the Trust’s donations?

The Trust contributes to fundraising efforts and good causes throughout the UK, with a particular focus on Southeast London and Kent. Some recent recipients include:

• Bromley Brighter Beginnings (https://www.bromleybrighterbeginnings.org.uk/) who provide essential everyday items for babies and children in Bromley. The Trust donated towards their Christmas Hamper appeal in 2022 which helped to provide 241 families and 611 children with food and gifts for Christmas Day.
• Lifelites (https://www.lifelites.org/) provide assistive technology packages for children with life-limiting conditions. A donation from the Trust purchased two Soundbeams (https://youtu.be/9WEATHU0Xno) for the Children’s Trust in Tadworth, Surrey.
• In 2022, a donation was made to Crackerjacks Children’s Trust (https://www.crackerjacks.org.uk/) for the purchase of a Tomcat Trike. Tomcat manufacture custom-built trikes designed to meet the specific mobility needs of its owner. The Trust has supported the Crackerjacks community on numerous occasions and have since donated toward the purchase of another trike in 2023.
• The Elizabeth Foundation (https://elizabeth-foundation.org/) provide a wide range of educational services for babies and preschool children with all degrees of deafness. The Trust were delighted to support the great work they do and made a donation in February of this year.
• In 2022, a £35,000 donation was made to the DEC’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal (https://www.dec.org.uk/ukraine-one-year-on). In light of the continued war in Ukraine, in 2023 a further donation of £35,000 was made to help with ongoing support to those affected or displaced by the conflict.

What does the future hold for the Trust?

With the continued success of the company, as demonstrated by WCI achieving 140 years’ service to industry this year, there comes a firm and ongoing commitment to honouring the work started by Frank Coales decades ago.

Today, the Trust has three trustees and is a registered charity (no. 1179856) that continues to work with colleagues from across the WCI group of companies to identify worthy causes where a donation from the F.B. Coales No.4 (Family) Trust will make a positive impact on people’s lives.