Uniting for Education: BIC and Paralympian Mpumelelo Mhlongo Foster Learning Opportunities

3 mins read
education collaboration

BIC has teamed up with Paralympian Mpumelelo Mhlongo to help disadvantaged students in South Africa ahead of the Paris 2024 Paralympics. BIC’s ‘Together We Can Write the Future’ initiative aims to tackle high school dropout rates by giving academic materials to students, with the company having already donated 15 million writing instruments since the ‘Buy a Pen Donate a Pen’ scheme began in 2012. The partnership with Mhlongo is a significant step towards promoting positive change in South Africa.

BIC and Paralympian Mpumelelo Mhlongo team up for education

Global stationery major BIC has partnered with South African Paralympian Mpumelelo Mhlongo to enhance educational opportunities for disadvantaged students ahead of the Paris 2024 Paralympics. BIC’s ‘Together We Can Write the Future’ initiative seeks to combat high school dropout rates in South Africa by giving academic materials to students. BIC has already donated 15 million writing instruments to needy students since the ‘Buy a Pen Donate a Pen’ initiative began in 2012. The company aims to donate another million writing tools this year. The partnership with Mhlongo is a step towards promoting positive change in South Africa.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

BIC and Mhlongo Forge a Powerful Alliance

In a substantial step toward augmenting educational opportunities, global stationery major, BIC, has established a collaboration with renowned South African Paralympian, Mpumelelo Mhlongo. This collaboration is designed to enhance the educational potential of disadvantaged students in the run-up to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. This partnership brilliantly exemplifies BIC’s ‘Together We Can Write the Future’ initiative, a determined drive to counter high school dropout rates in South Africa by providing crucial academic materials to students.

Lilian Henderson, who holds the position of Marketing Director for Southern and East Africa at BIC, highlighted the importance of this collaboration. She spotlighted Mhlongo’s motivational journey as a powerful example of the transformative effect of having access to necessary resources and a nurturing environment. Henderson stated, “Mhlongo’s life story serves as an example of how the right resources and support can enable individuals to flourish in any setting. As a brand devoted to education, we trust that change initiates with one person who has faith in you, be it a teacher, organization, or parent.”

BIC’s Legacy of Educational Support

Indeed, BIC’s dedication to backing education is not a recent development. Since its inception in 2012, the ‘Buy a Pen Donate a Pen’ initiative has enabled the donation of more than 15 million writing instruments to needy students. This year, the company has set its sights on reaching the landmark of an additional 1 million donations. To realize this goal, BIC is encouraging consumers to contribute to this cause by purchasing pens. These donations are subsequently disseminated during BIC’s annual roadshows, held from March to June.

Mhlongo, in contrast, voiced his fervent excitement for the collaboration. Drawing from his personal journey, he comprehends the profound influence that community support can exert on a child’s life. “As a child who gained from community support, I recognize its profound effect. I aspire to be that support for today’s students, and I’m thrilled to collaborate with BIC, a brand that values the significance of this mission.” he affirmed.

Fostering a Brighter Future through Education

BIC’s commitment to promoting education goes beyond South Africa’s borders. The stationery behemoth has a worldwide goal to enhance the learning conditions for 250 million students by 2025. In South Africa, the ‘Buy a Pen Donate a Pen’ initiative has evolved into a powerful CSR platform, aiming to slash the staggering 41% high school dropout rate. Its strategy is to ensure students receive the necessary writing tools for academic success.

The partnership with Mhlongo represents a significant step in promoting positive change within South Africa. More than just a business collaboration, this partnership symbolizes a mutual pledge to forge a brighter future – one pen at a time. It stands as a testament to how corporations and individuals can unite, leveraging their resources and platforms to foster a learning-friendly environment and thereby empower future generations.

1. What is BIC’s ‘Together We Can Write the Future’ initiative?

BIC’s ‘Together We Can Write the Future’ initiative is a program aimed at combatting high school dropout rates in South Africa by providing academic materials to students. BIC has already donated 15 million writing instruments to needy students since the ‘Buy a Pen Donate a Pen’ initiative began in 2012, and the company aims to donate another million writing tools this year.

2. Who has BIC partnered with to enhance educational opportunities for disadvantaged students?

BIC has partnered with South African Paralympian Mpumelelo Mhlongo to enhance educational opportunities for disadvantaged students in South Africa ahead of the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

3. What is the importance of BIC’s partnership with Mhlongo?

BIC’s partnership with Mhlongo is a significant step toward promoting positive change in South Africa. Mhlongo’s motivational journey serves as a powerful example of the transformative effect of having access to necessary resources and a nurturing environment.

4. How has BIC supported education in the past?

BIC’s ‘Buy a Pen Donate a Pen’ initiative has enabled the donation of more than 15 million writing instruments to needy students since its inception in 2012. This year, the company has set its sights on an additional 1 million donations.

5. What is BIC’s worldwide goal regarding education?

BIC’s worldwide goal is to enhance the learning conditions for 250 million students by 2025.

6. How does the partnership with Mhlongo represent positive change within South Africa?

The partnership with Mhlongo represents a significant step in promoting positive change within South Africa. It stands as a testament to how corporations and individuals can unite, leveraging their resources and platforms to foster a learning-friendly environment and thereby empower future generations.

Previous Story

“Internet Girl: Redefining Music in the Digital Age”

Next Story

An Unforgettable Display: The Annual Sardine Run in South Africa

Latest from Blog

Forging a Path to Enhanced Executive Oversight

South Africa is making big changes to keep a close eye on its top leaders! They made a new special committee in their parliament to watch the President. This committee will make sure the President and their office are doing things right and spending money wisely. They looked at how other countries do this to learn the best ways. This means more openness and trust, making sure everyone in power is held accountable to the people.

Cape Town’s Unmissable Weekend of Sporting Action

Cape Town is bursting with sports action from December 5th to 7th, 2025! You can cheer for the Proteas Women’s cricket team at Newlands against Ireland. Then, get ready for super exciting rugby sevens at DHL Stadium with the SVNS Cape Town tournament. And don’t miss Cape Town City FC playing football at Athlone Stadium. It’s a weekend full of thrills and fun for everyone!

South Africa Shines on the Global Cheese Stage

South African cheesemakers dazzled at the 2025 World Cheese Awards in Switzerland! They won many shiny medals, including two top Super Gold awards for Klein River Cheese’s Babylonstoren Parmesan and Dalewood Fromage’s Boland cheese. Nellie Fischer was even named the Best Female Cheesemaker. This big win makes South Africa super proud and shows their amazing cheese is now famous all over the world!

Renewing the Mozambique-South Africa Partnership: Highlights from the 4th Bi-National Commission

Mozambique and South Africa just held their 4th big meeting, the BiNational Commission, in Maputo. Their leaders, Presidents Ramaphosa and Chapo, met to make their countries even closer friends. They talked about important things like making their economies stronger, keeping everyone safe, and helping people thrive. This meeting helps them work together on many projects, from big gas plants to fighting sickness, making life better for everyone in both countries.

Deepening South Africa-Mozambique Ties: Progress and Prospects from the Fourth Bi-National Commission

South Africa and Mozambique are like old friends, working together to make things better. They talk a lot about how to help each other, especially with money, jobs, and safety. They remember their shared past of fighting for freedom, which makes their bond super strong. Now, they’re building roads, sharing power, and helping each other stay healthy and safe. This teamwork helps both countries grow and makes the whole neighborhood stronger.