East London – In a ground-breaking move, the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) and Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) announced the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 18 October 2023. The purpose of the MoU is to establish a strategic partnership and cooperation between the two entities, with a focus on addressing service delivery challenges and empowering the local community, especially the youth.
Under this MoU, BCMM and MBSA will exchange valuable information on policies, strategies, and service delivery challenges faced by the metro. The aim is to explore opportunities and possibilities that will enable both parties to effectively respond to these challenges.
The partnership will prioritize community empowerment and youth skills development, ultimately improving employment prospects, including self-employment opportunities.
The event brought together key representatives from both BCMM and MBSA, as well as community leaders and stakeholders who have a vested interest in the success of this partnership.
Speaking about the significance of this collaboration, BCMM Executive Mayor Princess Faku emphasized that “this MoU means a lot for us as a city, Mercedes Benz has been here for the past 65 years, 65 years of excellence (and) contributing to the economy of the city and of the province so we are definitely excited because this is the beginning of greater things for the city “said Faku.
The signing of this MoU signifies a new era of collaboration and innovation between BCMM and MBSA. It is expected to have far-reaching benefits for the local community, including improved service delivery, increased employment prospects, and a stronger foundation for economic growth.
Andreas Brand CEO of MBSA stated, “If you look at the history of Mercedes-Benz here in Buffalo City, it is driven by passion and it is driven by legacy. So a document like an MOU just documents that partnership for such a long time and we consistently support the community and the community supports us. This is not the first MOU by the way, we just consistently build on what we have and we develop our cooperation further,” said Brand.
This latest MoU is built on three pillars: Strategic Infrastructure and Sustainable Development; Service Delivery and Community Development; and Corporate Social Investment.
As this strategic partnership begins to unfold, both BCMM and MBSA are optimistic about the positive impact they can make together. By pooling their resources and expertise, they aim to create a sustainable and prosperous future for all residents of Buffalo City.
