A unique approach

They embrace the African philosophy of Ubuntu which means: “I am what I am because of who we all are.” It’s the idea that if they can assist communities and staff in being fulfilled then everyone will benefit.

In this way, they feel that it is their responsibility and privilege as a business to assist the communities they do business in, as well as the environment.

What causes do they support?

Virgin Mobile South Africa support the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship which supports entrepreneurs to realise their dreams.
 
SOS Children’s Village: This is the world’s largest orphan and abandoned children’s charity. Child sponsors and donors around the world provide a new family and home for more than 78,000 children in 518 unique Children’s Villages in 125 countries.
 
Work with Virgin Unite: Working with Virgin Unite helps the company meet its corporate social responsibility aspirations since the charity already has relationships in place that they can link in to. It has meant that they can give back even in the smallest of ways.
 
Impact?

Over the last year, Virgin Mobile South Africa have donated over R200,000 and 100 hours of volunteers’ time to organisations that they support.
 
The Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship: Virgin Mobile sponsored a fashion show at the Branson Centre for a budding fashion designer, Lesego Malatsi. He recently opened his Mzansi Designs store in Maponya Mall and is already employing 21 people. It gave him the platform to raise funds to show his range in Los Angeles and Lesego went on to showcase his designs at London Fashion Week in 2011.
 
Over R23,000 worth of mobile phones with pre-loaded airtime were also donated to entrepreneurs at the centre.
 
SOS Children’s Villages: On Mandela Day, an annual day celebrating former president Nelson Mandela, the company collected clothing, food and toys to the value of R5,000 for SOS Children’s Villages.
 
CEO, Steve Bailey, ran the Virgin London Marathon 2011 and donated over R100,000 to SOS Children’s Villages.