“To build our company we must grow our local communities.”

The core philosophy of Eskort’s commitment to community projects is to look after the local community in and around our production units. As a business we share a population, a location and a common interest in the prosperity of our communities. As a business that began as a co-operative, we fully understand the value of co-operation and the power of mutually shared goals.

Employees are encouraged to get actively involved in these many projects and accept ownership of making any activity not only worthwhile but successful. This includes the involvement of staff in building/repairing facilities for selected organisations in need of these services to make a long lasting improvement to the living conditions enjoyed by the residents.

During the year over 100 needy organisations have been assisted. It is the Company's intention to build on these relationships over time that will result in a meaningful and worthwhile contribution to the partnered organisation.

Activities undertaken include the following:

  • Weekly donations of fresh vegetables grown in the vegetable gardens at the Estcourt and Heidelberg operating units as well as meat packs to Shepstone Place Old Age Home (Estcourt) and Shalom Faith Ministries (Heidelberg) who provide accommodation for abandoned children.

  • Sponsorship of the Estcourt Cavanagh marathon – this 42 year old marathon is the last official Comrades race qualifier.

  • Donations of over eleven tonnes of Eskort products to amongst others Thuthkani Home for the Disabled, Ahang Development Organisation, Ratanda Old Age Home, Lyndhurst Primary Scholl, Meals on Wheels, Isakhisizwe Feeding Scheme, Little Fighters Cancer Trust, The Teddy Bear Clinic, Child Welfare Mbombela, Hand of Hope, Byers Bytjies, Lethabo Siyanqoba and Feed a Child.

  • Sponsorship of the King Edward V11 School Easter sports festival where over 800 boys participate in rugby and hockey.

  • A contribution to the Beeld Kinderfons and sponsorship of their annual golf day

  • Underwriting the annual Varkfees in Heidelberg where Eskort staff manage and prepare delicious meals, the proceeds of which are donated to the Laer Volkskool. In excess of R300000 was generated last year providing a welcome boost to the school’s finances.

  • Participation in the CANSA relay in Estcourt

  • Sponsorships and donations to the Estcourt and Heidelberg golf clubs of which many Eskort employees are members.

  • Sponsorship of team kit for the Hoer Volkskool 1st XI rugby and hockey teams

  • Sponsorship of the annual Dux awards at Estcourt High, Primary, Secondary and Christian Schools

Here are images taken at recent events that the Eskort teams have undertaken.

Eskort recently donated meat to supplement the protein needs of the pupils at Hlanganani School in the Michaelhouse Community Partnership.

Ancha Smuts (Marketing and Fundraising - Louis Botha Kinderhuis) and Liza du Toit (Eskort Finance Administrator).

Charles Naidoo (Senior Pastor - One-Touch Ministries) and Lorainne Naude (Eskort Accounts Section Supervisor).

Lindy Mgali (Eskort Brand Representative), Arnold Prinsloo (Eskort CEO) and Ingrid Lourens (Eskort PA to CEO) preparing sandwiches for the kids at Yabana Village.

Zahn Hulme (Atterbury Trust), Liza du Toit (Eskort Admin Clerk) and Elbet van Zyl (Booysens Beertjies Head Principal) with the children at Booysens Beertjies.

Phillip Scheltema (School’s Vice-Principal) and Liza du Toit (Eskort Admin Clerk) with the children of Generaal Nicolaas Smit Primary School.