Samsung Joins National Mission to #RebuildSouthAfrica Through Wide-ranging Support Programmes

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 28 July 2021 – The last few weeks in South Africa have been unparalleled. However, seemingly overnight the country has been galvanised, showing the world that South Africa’s spirit of UBUNTU is alive and well. Samsung has joined this inspiring and concerted effort to #RebuildSouthAfrica. The company is also one of many that were impacted, including an attack on Samsung’s distribution centre in Cato Ridge as well as a number of service centres. Consumer electronics such as TV’s and refrigerators were the target of many looters.

Inspired by the country’s spirit of resilience and unity Samsung has elevated its #StrongerTogether initiative to be a part of the impassioned national plea to rebuild South Africa. Samsung is committed to making a difference by affording its staff the additional support they need and working with communities and affected businesses alike. Staff members have already put in place a donation scheme to assist their colleagues in Kwazulu-Natal, who were worst affected. Support staff will also be sent to these facilities to assist wherever possible.

Staff given full support

Samsung’s priority remains the health and safety of its employees, customers and the general public. For now, its employees will continue to work from home, to ensure their safety from any further violence as well as protection from the rapid rise in new Covid cases across the country. Samsung staff as well as their family have also been given free access to Trauma and Bereavement counsellors to assist them if affected by the violence or the aftermath of Covid.

Retail Infrastructure Support

Additionally, Samsung is currently working with partners to help restore their retail infrastructure. As an essential part of Samsung’s go-to-market network Samsung has made it clear to its partners that an impact on them has a cascading impact on us on all. “Samsung believes that it is critical that as partners we continue to work together to rebuild the ICT value chain in a way that benefits all,”  Dudu Mokholo, Chief Marketing Officer: Samsung South Africa,

Samsung introduces TV Block to assist retailers

As part of Samsung’s plan to help #RebuildSouthAfrica the company has also committed to supporting retail business who will be further affected by the growth of illegal, secondary markets. A blocking system has been activated on Samsung television sets taken from its warehouses. Samsung’s TV block will disable all television functions, thereby reducing the incentive for stolen TV sets to be sold in South Africa and even beyond its borders. This will lessen the impact of lost sales for retailers.

Clearly, this has been a moment that has impacted every person in every community, throughout this beautiful country. As a partner to South Africa, Samsung is focused on the safety all its people and customers and being an integral part of the rebuild.