Mercedes-Benz South Africa and Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa have marked the graduation of the fourth cohort of their Incubation Hub programme, with 20 non-profit organisations completing the latest cycle.
The milestone reflects the continued collaboration between Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) and Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa (LSFGFSA) to strengthen South Africa’s social development ecosystem by equipping non-profit organisations with the technical skills and operational capacity required to deliver measurable impact and become funding ready.
Since its launch in 2022, the Incubation Hub has onboarded 50 non-profit organisations into an intensive four-month development journey. The latest cohort completed comprehensive training across key areas including organisational strategy, governance, child safeguarding and vetting, financial management, monitoring and evaluation, online learning modules, mentorship and access to sector networks.
The programme has continued to expand geographically. In 2024, the Incubation Hub extended its footprint to Gauteng, complementing its presence in the Eastern Cape and aligning with Mercedes-Benz South Africa’s key operational regions. The fourth cohort continued this dual-regional focus, supporting organisations across both provinces with a shared emphasis on sustainable community development.
This year’s cohort also marked a further step in the programme’s evolution with the inclusion of disability-focused organisations for the first time, reinforcing Mercedes-Benz South Africa’s commitment to inclusive development and equitable access to opportunity.
Ahead of the graduation ceremony, the inaugural Hub Summit brought together alumni organisations from Gauteng and the Eastern Cape to strengthen collaboration, knowledge sharing and peer-led organisational growth across the sector.
“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. Through collaboration we empower the drivers of change in communities and make our impact scalable,” said Thato Mntambo, Head of Corporate Affairs at Mercedes-Benz South Africa.
Marlene Coetzee, CEO of Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa, said the partnership demonstrates the impact of aligned corporate and civil society collaboration.
“The Incubation Hub is a powerful example of what can be achieved when corporate and civil society partners align around a shared purpose. By equipping NGOs with the tools, governance frameworks and strategic clarity required to become funding ready, we are helping ensure their impact is sustainable and scalable,” she said.
Mercedes-Benz South Africa and Laureus say the Incubation Hub remains a central pillar of their long-term strategy to support resilient, inclusive communities while strengthening the broader social development sector.
