CNH Industrial and its brand CASE Construction Equipment officially launched the CNH Beach Care Project in South Africa on Friday 5 December, bringing its global environmental stewardship initiative to Strand’s Main Beach, with a commitment to long-term education and coastline protection.
The South African debut marks the eighth country to adopt the project, which promotes hands-on clean-ups, environmental education and circularity practices.
The launch event saw 150 children from Hendrik Louw Primary School and the DSSK (Die Straat Se Kind) organisation join educators, CNH volunteers and a host of respected environmental experts to restore and protect the coastline.
Key activities included interactive educational sessions, a vital water safety talk and a live demonstration focused on the threats posed by microplastics. The highlight was a thorough beach clean-up where the collected waste was efficiently managed and removed using a CASE 695SV Backhoe Loader, showcasing the role of versatile machinery in environmental efforts. Children and community members received valuable lessons on marine life’s importance, severe impacts of coastal pollution and behaviour change effects on healthy oceans.
The project’s success relied heavily on collaboration with expert local organisations, including Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, which provided expertise in essential marine education, Helderberg Ocean Awareness Movement (HOAM), which encouraged youth stewardship and promoted daily clean-up efforts, and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), which shared critical water-safety guidance.
The event also drew international expertise, including Dr Laura Pintore, a WWF Italy marine wildlife expert who assisted with the clean-up and educated learners on the effects of plastic pollution. Catherine Constantinides, national director of Miss Earth South Africa, praised the partnership for driving meaningful environmental change.
Johan Joubert, general manager of CNH Construction Segment South Africa, expressed pride in the initiative. “South Africa’s coastline is one of our greatest natural treasures,” he said.
“Bringing the CNH Beach Care Project here is a proud moment for us. It allows us to contribute in a meaningful way to the long-standing work of the participating organisations in environmental education. Seeing young people take the lead today gives me great confidence in the future of our oceans.”
Daniela Ropolo, head of CNH EMEA Sustainable Development Initiatives, stressed the long-term vision. “The most powerful investment we can make is in the next generation. The greatest value we can transmit is the consistency of our actions.”
The project was presented to the Italian Consulate, which welcomed the initiative as part of its ongoing commitment to safeguarding South Africa’s coastal ecosystems. The successful launch marks a new chapter in the global CNH Beach Care Project, which promotes thriving ecosystems for generations to come.
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