The global company chose SA for the launch of the Ekocenter - 6m long steel containers - which will be used to support rural woman entrepreneurs. The containers use solar power and a water purification system to provide power and water to communities.
Attending the launch in Heidelberg, south-east of Johannesburg, on Wednesday (28 August), Gordhan said the kind of symbolism the Ekocenter represents is also contained in the National Development Plan - the government's blueprint for socioeconomic development.
"For a multinational organisation like Coca-Cola to take this kind of initiative, which begins to bridge the gap between privileged and not so privileged is a remarkable piece of work that, in years to come, communities will applaud. We hope that this will incentivise other enterprises and competitors here to do the same," Gordhan said.
Former US secretary of the state Condoleezza Rice, who also attended the event, welcomed the programme, saying the empowerment of women was the catalyst for developing societies such as those in rural areas in SA.
"I do believe that this continen is finally reaching its potential. Men and women are now experiencing the dignity of choosing those who will govern them and governments are being held accountable," she said.
Through the global programme, Coca-Cola aims to eventually roll out thousands of Ekocenter containers, in line with the group's goal to empower 5m woman entrepreneurs by 2020.
Chairman and chief executive of Coca-Cola Muhtar Kent said the Ekocenters would not only provide safe drinking water to communities which needed it, but would also provide women entrepreneurs with training and micro-financing to run a business from the container.
Source: Business Day via I-Net Bridge
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