The Distell Development Trust now known as the Makwande Empowerment Trust is accelerating its efforts to empower marginalised, mostly rural women and youth, through educational, skills and social investment.
Named for the Nguni word “let there be growth”, the Makwande trust emerged from a B-BBEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment) deal imperative set by HEINEKEN Beverages, when it acquired Distell in 2023.
Stepping up its aim to be “a catalyst for positive change” the trust’s mandate is to continue to serve as an enabler, but now of empowerment more than just development, and take people from a place of despair to a place of hope.
CEO Lwazi Mankahla, confirmed that since its inception in 2014, the trust had impacted 11 000 people. “Our mandate is to continue to serve as an enabler, but now of empowerment more than just development, so we can take people from a place of despair to a place of hope. “We’re truly excited about the impact we’ve set out to make.”
As HEINEKEN Beverages MD, Jordi Borrut pointed out: “No company can thrive, sustainably, in a failing society, certainly not in the long term. “We are here to craft true togetherness to inspire a better world.”
What sets the trust apart from others, is clear to see, as instead of just chasing to be in nine provinces with an endless array of projects, they instead, aim is to grow these initiatives organically to attain enduring and sustainable change.
As one of its newest partners in KZN, OneVoice South Africa (OVSA) is deeply thankful and inspired to travel this journey alongside the trust. Managing Director, Marlijn van Berne Davidson, shared the team’s excitement to engage on projects that move from development to real empowerment. “This engagement represents a true shift from superficial or temporary solutions to lasting, meaningful change.”
She pointed out that the trust, similarly, approaches its partners with a deep care for their development and well-being. “It’s about encouraging the overall uptake of skills, and knowledge, and having the confidence to make lasting decisions that impact our lives and those of our beneficiaries. “It’s refreshing, and exciting because this partnership will support a more equitable and fair society for all.”
For more on the Makwande Empowerment Trust https://makwandetrust.org.za/
For more on OneVoice South Africa https://www.onevoice.org.za