R300,000 raised as Empact Connect puts community needs in focus
What began as a tree-planting initiative at a South African school for Empact Group has led to a R200,000 donation, while a further R100,000 will help an organisation supporting survivors of gender-based violence continue its vital work.
These were the two beneficiaries of Empact Group’s recent Empact Connect Day, held at Irene Country Club in Centurion on 27 October 2026, where approximately 240 employees, clients, suppliers and business partners came together to raise R300,000 for Reutlwile Junior Secondary School and the TEARS Foundation.
The event, the second Empact Connect Day held this year, reflects the Group’s commitment to making a meaningful difference in the communities it serves, bringing employees, clients and suppliers together in support of causes that need assistance.
For Empact Group CEO, Alan Quinn, the decision to give the event a stronger social purpose has been a natural extension of the company’s approach to business.
“As this day has evolved, we saw a need to link Empact Connect to something more meaningful,” said Quinn. “We want Empact to be an organisation that makes a difference in the South African communities in which we operate. Our shareholder, Thebe, has a philosophy that ‘Community is our bottom line’, and that’s something we’ve embraced. We want to connect with our clients and suppliers, but also with communities and projects where we can make a tangible difference.”
A tree-planting day that uncovered a greater need
Reutlwile Junior Secondary School’s relationship with Empact Group began through an environmental initiative.
Feedem by Empact Group, the company’s newest division, was invited by Trees for Africa to participate in an Arbour Day tree-planting project at the school. What started as an opportunity for employees to contribute to a greener school environment became an introduction to the challenges facing the school and its learners.
During the visit, the Empact team became aware of the school’s broader needs, prompting further engagement with the school community. More recently, severe weather compounded these challenges when part of the school’s roof was blown off, adding to an already difficult situation.
Recognising the opportunity to assist, Empact Group selected the school as one of the beneficiaries of its October Connect Day, with R200,000 raised to help address its needs.
The donation was presented to the school’s principal, Mr Gambushe Ndlovu, and representatives of the school community during the event.
For Empact, the initiative demonstrates how community involvement can uncover needs that might otherwise go unnoticed. A relationship that began with employees planting trees has created an opportunity to make a lasting contribution to the school’s learning environment.
Standing alongside women when they need support most
The second beneficiary, the TEARS Foundation, has a longstanding relationship with Empact Group. The non-profit organisation provides support to survivors of rape, sexual abuse and gender-based violence, helping vulnerable individuals access assistance and resources during some of the most difficult periods of their lives.
Its work has particular relevance to Empact Group, where women make up approximately 77% to 78% of the company’s 31 000-strong workforce.
For Quinn, those numbers bring a responsibility to recognise the realities that women may face beyond the workplace.
“Women in this country are unfortunately not always in safe spaces, and gender-based violence is a reality that many face,” he said. “As an organisation that employs so many women, we believe it is important to support organisations that can be there for women during their most vulnerable moments.”
For a number of years, the TEARS Foundation has also participated in Empact Group’s Women’s Day initiatives, raising awareness of gender-based violence and helping employees recognise signs that colleagues may be experiencing abuse or unsafe circumstances.
The additional R100 000 raised through Empact Connect will support the Foundation’s ongoing work, building on the contributions Empact has made through its corporate social investment programme over the past three years.
A growing network of people willing to give back
Empact Connect began as a golf day intended to bring employees, clients and suppliers together outside the usual business environment. Bowls and padel were subsequently introduced this year, making the event accessible to a wider range of participants.
What started with approximately 80 participants has grown to 240, with two events held during 2026 in response to growing participation. The October event brought together representatives from across Empact Group, including its food services, cleaning and facilities management operations, as well as Feedem by Empact Group, which joined the business earlier this year.
The day’s fundraising efforts were supported by contributions from suppliers and business partners, including platinum sponsors Red Bull, Coca-Cola, Paymenow and Twinsaver. A pledge board also encouraged attendees to make additional commitments towards the community initiatives.
Quinn acknowledged the collective effort behind the fundraising, thanking the participants, sponsors and Empact’s CSI committee for identifying projects where support could make a difference.
From an Arbour Day visit that uncovered a school’s need for assistance to a partnership helping women recognise and escape abuse, the two initiatives demonstrate the value of staying connected to the communities around a business.
For Empact Group, the R300 000 raised is a practical expression of its commitment to ensuring that the relationships it builds through business also benefit the communities in which it operates.
*Information provided by the publicist.
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