Pretoria, South Africa – Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA) has reaffirmed its commitment to education by donating a Mercedes-Benz Actros 1836 to the DGB Charitable Trust. This generous contribution supports the Trust’s “Travelling Classroom” initiative, which brings vital educational resources and the joy of reading to underprivileged children in the Cape Winelands region. Through this initiative, DTSA is helping bridge South Africa’s educational gap, positively impacting over 5,000 children annually.
The official launch of the second “Travelling Classroom” took place on 10 February 2025 at Alfons Primary School in Paarl, Cape Town. The event was attended by distinguished guests, including Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen, DGB Executive Chairman Tim Hutchinson, and representatives from the DGB Charitable Trust. Their presence underscored the significance of this initiative in transforming the educational landscape for children in underserved communities.
Bringing the Classroom to the Community
The “Travelling Classroom” serves as a fully equipped mobile learning centre, offering a diverse range of books, digital learning tools, and essential educational resources to children who may not otherwise have access to them. This second unit, enabled by DTSA’s donation, extends the initiative’s reach, ensuring that more students benefit from its transformative offerings.
Comprised of two state-of-the-art 15-meter trailer trucks, the mobile classrooms are equipped with libraries and computer centres, designed to enhance learning in Language, Literacy, Mathematics, Computer Literacy, and Social Conscience. The program, coordinated by Kinderland Akademie—a registered outreach initiative of the Kinderland Trust—delivers structured educational sessions to 19 regional primary schools, reaching 153 teachers and thousands of students. Each school in the program benefits from visits twice a week, ensuring consistent and impactful learning experiences.
A Collaborative Effort for a Brighter Future
Ricardo Ferreira, Group CEO of DGB, highlighted the importance of collaboration in making this initiative a reality:
“Realizing the dream of transforming education through the provision of essential tools and knowledge relies on the dedication, vision, and generosity of several partners. We are immensely proud to have collaborated closely with DTSA in recent months, culminating in the substantial donation of a Mercedes-Benz Actros 1836. This vehicle will reliably transport the 15-meter education centre trailer to as many as three schools each day. Our heartfelt thanks go to Maretha Gerber and the Executive Board of DTSA for sharing our unwavering hope for a better future for the participating children, ultimately contributing to a better South Africa for all.”
DTSA’s Commitment to Education
DTSA has long been a champion of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), with education forming a key pillar of its strategy. Maretha Gerber, President and Group CEO of DTSA, emphasized the significance of early childhood education:
“Education remains a cornerstone of Daimler Truck Southern Africa’s CSR strategy. Primary education, in particular, lays the foundation for academic success in later stages by stimulating cognitive development, critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and creativity. Additionally, it provides a safe environment for learners to develop essential social skills and emotional growth, which are vital for the holistic development of children. DTSA is therefore thrilled to support DGB Charitable Trust’s ‘Travelling Classroom’ initiative. We commend DGB Charitable Trust, and all the partners involved for their outstanding work in making this initiative possible.”
Looking Ahead
With the continued dedication of DTSA, DGB Charitable Trust, and their partners, the “Travelling Classroom” initiative is set to expand its impact, fostering a love for learning and equipping young minds with the skills necessary for future success. DTSA extends its best wishes for the continued success of this pioneering educational program, reinforcing its belief in education as the key to unlocking a brighter, more equitable future for all South African children.
