Updated: Sep 2, 2019

DAC Systems, a leading ICT solutions and services provider, has for the past 14 years made ongoing contributions to the people of Shongwe, thereby demonstrating the benefits of its ongoing CSI initiative, the Shongwe Project.

The Shongwe Project is used as a vehicle to build houses for previously disadvantaged community members and, at the same time, strengthen the company’s team dynamic.

Each year DAC staff have given their time and resources to contribute to the Project.

In August DAC Systems staff and their families set up camp on the Malelane Golf Course in preparation for distribution to the community and ahead of the main task that lay ahead: to build another brick house in the area.

DAC Systems staff themselves also donated over 30 food care-packs, sanitary towels, as well as clothes and food for animals in the area.

In addition to these very welcome care packages, the Project involves a volunteer day-care service or Kids Club for local children, for a day, as well as free maintenance on existing playground facilities.

The children enjoy Kids Club while DAC personnel, together with local Thembalethu builders and the Thembalethu Trust, constructed a house.

This was the 14th house built by the company, and part of 124 houses overall that have been built through the Thembalethu Project.

Bernadette Froelich, Human Capital Manager of DAC Systems, said, “Before we started any of our programmes, Thembalethu’s drama team performed for us. They said it was important to them not just to get, but to give something in return. It was very special. Thembalethu carries that spirit through in everything they do … it really is about maximising everything they have. We are very proud to be a part of the development of this special community!”

“It was amazing – we want to do it again, with some tweaks so that those who can’t build or do the care walks are also useful back at camp – we’re looking at a care-for the caregiver programme for a day where we say thank you to the people who run Thembalethu and give them a chance to be spoilt”, added Froelich.