The inspiring contribution by Fiat Auto South Africa to the upliftment of sporting skills to the underprivileged children of Soweto, through the Fiat Sports Centre, was complimented on Monday by the visit of a delegation of esteemed guests from Italy. The absence of the president of Cofindustria and the Fiat Auto Group, Luca di Montezemolo was unfortunate however, stirring words from the CEO of Fiat Auto South Africa Gorgio Gorelli and the Italian Deputy Prime Minister Massimo D’Alema saw a worthwhile surprise take place. The emphasis of athletic skills enhancement with the facility was taken one-step further, by the sponsorship of fully equipped computer laboratories by both Cofindustria and ABI to six local schools. 

“What you see here is the result of a vision that began in 2003 that would deliver to the youth of Soweto an equal opportunity to develop the skill to compete and to allow everyone to enjoy the facility,” said Gorelli. “We were told it was in impossible to feat to realise and today we have the proof that Soweto has the capacity to achieve anything. We are committed to keep it, improve it and I am very proud to represent a community that is capable of working together toward a single goal,” he concluded.
 

Minister Massimo D’Alema said, “This place is a symbol of friendship and solidarity between South Africa and Italy and I’m very glad to see that the role of Italian companies in SA is also beamed at taking care of the social needs of the population – we are here for business, but without friendship, solidarity and cooperation, business becomes very difficult.”

He continued, “In this context, the choice of Soweto is of particular significance, because we know that Soweto is a symbol of the fight for freedom of the South African people and gathering youngsters around sport games is imperative to positive progress.”

The second major stop of the Italian delegation was to open the Fiat Auto Parts Distribution Centre in Rosslyn, Pretoria yesterday (10 July 2007)