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In keeping with the Tata group's rich tradition of giving
back to society, Tata Africa is actively involved in initiatives
that promote the social and economic development of African
communities. The company is currently involved with several
community development programmes geared towards enhancing
the lives of the African people.
The adult literacy project
The project is a partnership between Tata Consultancy
Services and the WDB Trust, an organisation that works
in the areas of micro finance, entrepreneur training and
education of impoverished rural women. Adapted from TCS's
computer-based functional literacy programme that was
implemented in India, the project was replicated in the
North Sortho (Sepedi) language in South Africa. The initiative
has so far trained 65 people to read, with plans to introduce
more languages to the programme and thus increase its
reach.
Skill-development programmes
Tata Africa and Kgabane have joined in partnership to
promote skill development programmes in South Africa.
Kgabane is an organisation set up by the Ministry for
Minerals and Energy in partnership with Harmony Gold and
Mintek (the South African R&D centre for minerals
technology). The two organisations have undertaken training
of people from rural South Africa with the aim of improving
livelihood and increasing employment opportunities. As
part of the programme, trainees travelled to India for
training in jewellery making at the Titan plant in Bangalore,
and in decorating ceramicware at the Tata Ceramics factory
in Kochi.
Community development programmes
Tata Steel KZN has launched several programmes aimed at
the local communities. Main among these are education,
skill development and women empowerment-related activities.
The company has identified several local schools that
are in need of funding. Tata Steel KZN is also working
on schemes to hire and train local staff for its plant.
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