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Showing its support for recovery and relief efforts in the aftermath of the devastating April floods in KwaZulu-Natal, footwear manufacturer and retailer, Bata South Africa, donated 200 pairs of gumboots to non-profit company, The Litterboom Project (TLP). The organisation is among various civic organisations that have had their work cut out tackling pollution and debris scattered across the province’s beaches after the storm. The boots were used by TLP volunteers and staff helping to get the province’s beaches clean again.

Since 2017, TLP has worked to alleviate the increase in marine plastic pollution, by using a plastic catchment system in the local rivers instead of dealing with it only at the oceans. TLP also hosts regular beach clean-ups and has been hard at work since the floods at locations including the Durban beachfront, Beachwood Mangroves, Umhlanga and Umdloti Beaches.

Bata South Africa Managing Director, Michael Wyatt, said, “As a business with its base in KZN, we were especially saddened to see the devastating impact of the flooding on lives and livelihoods, in addition to the obvious damage to roads and infrastructure. As Bata South Africa, we wanted to stand up and make a difference – and helping to keep clean-up teams safe, clean and dry was one way we could get involved. We’d like to commend all the organisations like The Litterboom Project who have been leading initiatives to recover and rebuild since the floods.”

CEO of The Litterboom Project, Cameron Service, said, “Boots are a big help for our teams on the beach and in the rivers, and we’re thankful to Bata South Africa for reaching out and for showing support to the work we are doing. We rely heavily on the support of the local communities, business sector and general public to implement and maintain our operations throughout the country.”

Service said the massive coastal effort required donations of heavy machinery, chain saws, mini skips and funding to cover staff working alongside the public.

Donations to The Litterboom Project are welcome via the "Donate" button at https://www.thelitterboomproject.com or via Zapper https://zapper.com/url/A3J9bSR90Y. 

About Bata South Africa

Founded in 1894, Bata is one of the world's leading manufacturers and retailers of quality footwear.  A global concern with more than 30,000 employees, 24 production facilities, over 5,000 stores in more than 70 countries across the globe, Bata has been providing the best shoes at the best prices, backed by unparalleled service, for 120 years.  The family-owned business sells more than 180 million pairs of shoes per year in 5,800 retail outlets and produces locally in 22 Bata-owned manufacturing facilities across five continents.

In South Africa, Bata locally owns, manufactures and retails shoe brands including Toughees, Tomy Takkies, North Star, American Cup, Pata Pata, Safari, Bata Industrials and B-First.

Issued by Bata South Africa Marketing Manager, Nombuso Ncapai