KUGOMPO CITY- 20 non-profit organisations graduate as partnership strengthens community development and inclusion.
Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) and Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa celebrated the graduation of the fourth cohort of the Incubation Hub programme during an event held at the Mercedes-Benz KuGompo City plant(formerly known as East London) on 05 March 2026.
The ceremony recognised 20 non-profit organisations (NPOs) that successfully completed an intensive four-month training programme aimed at strengthening organisational capacity, governance and long-term sustainability.
Launched in 2022, the Incubation Hub initiative equips grassroots organisations with the tools needed to operate effectively and become funding-ready, ensuring they can deliver measurable impact within their communities.
This year’s graduating class represents organisations from both the Eastern Cape and Gauteng, reflecting MBSA’s key operational regions.
The programme expanded to Gauteng in 2024, complementing its strong presence in the Eastern Cape and allowing broader support for community-based organisations.
A key milestone for the fourth cohort was the inclusion of disability-focused organisations for the first time, reinforcing the programme’s commitment to inclusive development and equal access to opportunity.
Participants received training across several core areas, including organisational strategy, governance, financial management, monitoring and evaluation and child safeguarding and vetting. The programme also provided mentorship, online learning modules and access to professional networks to strengthen the impact of the participating organisations.
Ahead of the graduation ceremony, the programme hosted its inaugural Hub Summit, bringing together alumni organisations from Gauteng and the Eastern Cape to encourage knowledge sharing, collaboration and peer-driven growth.
Head of Corporate Affairs at Mercedes-Benz South Africa Thato Mntambo, said collaboration is essential to addressing social and economic challenges. “Mercedes-Benz South Africa is a responsible corporate citizen; we acknowledge that we cannot tackle underdevelopment on our own and are proud to have partnered with Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa through the Incubation Hub,” Mntambo said.
She further added that, “We recognise that through collaboration we empower the drivers of change in communities and make our impact scalable.”
Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa Marlene Coetzee, highlighted the importance of partnerships between corporate organisations and civil society.
“The Incubation Hub is a powerful example of what can be achieved when corporate and civil society partners align around a shared purpose,” Coetzee said.
“By equipping NGOs with the tools, governance frameworks and strategic clarity required to become funding-ready, we ensure their impact is sustainable, scalable and deeply rooted in the communities they serve,” CEO emphasized.
In addition since its launch, the programme has supported 50 non-profit organisations, helping to strengthen the broader social development ecosystem in South Africa.
Through their continued partnership, Mercedes-Benz South Africa and Laureus aim to build resilient and inclusive communities, enabling organisations to transform socio-economic challenges into sustainable opportunities for development.
Photographs: MBSA/Supplied
