Principal supporters
Sasol
With a commitment to the arts as passionate as that of the artists themselves, Sasol has built up a reputation of support similar to the prestigious court patronage of old. By partnering with the arts, it helps keep the banners flying in diverse areas from the visual arts at the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees in Oudtshoorn to the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition in Pretoria and the Sasol Art Gallery in Stellenbosch.
In the performing arts, the name Sasol has been synonymous with the Sasolburg Chorale for some 50 years. Then there’s the Ochrim School of Music in Pretoria for 100 talented community musicians, and the acclaimed Sasol Schools Festival, held annually at the Pretoria State Theatre. Sasol is also involved in cultural festivals, including the Aardklop Kunstefees in Potchefstroom.
Above all, Sasol can proudly say it has been a pioneer in orchestral music education, building on the vision of those who saw the need for tuition in orchestral instruments and helping to lay the foundation for the eventual formation of the Sasol SA National Youth Orchestra.
That the orchestra has always been esteemed internationally is seen in invitations to tour overseas. In 1998 the SA NYO played in Moscow in a World Youth Orchestra under the baton of Russian maestro, Valery Gergiev.
The 2009 Sasol concerts will once again prove that these youngsters are indeed the best this country has to offer. The Sasol National Youth Orchestra Course is truly the cradle of South African orchestras.
The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund
Over the past six years, the National Lottery has disbursed over R3-billion to over 6 100 beneficiary groups. The National Lottery is a strong supporter of arts and culture. In addition to offering financial support to the South African National Youth Orchestra, it has sponsored a number of national and provincial orchestras including the Chamber Orchestra of South Africa, the East Rand Youth Orchestra Association, the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, the KwaZulu-Natal Youth Orchestra and the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra.
De Beers
As one of South Africa’s oldest and best known companies, De Beers has a long tradition of effective social investment engagement that is at the heart of the group’s business philosophy.
Today that commitment is expressed, in part, through the work of the De Beers Fund, which, as the company’s dedicated social investment vehicle, supports the efforts of hundreds of community organisations and development projects, which aim to bring lasting change to those areas and communities of South Africa who need it most.
Social investment provides an avenue for De Beers to play a constructive role in supporting the efforts of those committed to building a better society. The Fund goes beyond merely providing funds; it contributes by recognising and supporting the work of people at grassroots level and making a difference for those marginalised from the mainstream. By backing people and organisations that are making a difference in society, the greatest possible sustainable impact is achieved.
