Proconics launches The Groundery Connection.
The Groundery Connection, a brand-new coffee shop within the reception area at Proconics was recently unveiled. A few dignitaries were invited and explained the idea behind The Groundery Connection.
Nomvuselelo Myende, the Marketing intern at Proconics, explains that everyone from time to time thinks of the following questions: “what can I do to help, What change can I make in my community or work?”
The Groundery Connection is a first-of-its-kind coffee shop and corporate third space co-owned and operated by the two beneficiaries Thuso Mkwanazi and James Du Toit from the Marietjie School for Learners with Special Educational Needs in Secunda, and the De la Bat School for the Deaf in Worcester, respectively.
“I think that I can say in all confidence,” continued Nomvuselelo,” that The Groundery Connection was born from those questions.”
A few dignitaries including the Executive Mayor of Govan Mbeki Municipality, the Honourable councillor Nhlakanipo Zuma, significant Sasol stakeholders, and proud Proconics employees attended the opening The Groundery Connection.
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Melvin Jones, CEO at Proconics, explained a schematic that one of the founding members of Proconics drew him during his first days at Proconics.
It read: “Problem plus Coffee meets engineer and out comes the solution and the side effect is sarcasm!”
“I am to blame for the coffee culture at Proconics,” said Melvin, “one of the first things I did as CEO is to buy two filter coffee machines. That started the love for coffee here at Proconics.”
Melvin spoke about staying in South Africa and dealing with its problems.
“I want to challenge everyone here today to forget about the problems that we can’t solve,” said Melvin, “and I want you to lean in and solve some of the problems that are right in front of us.”
“And if you do you will be part of making this country the one we want to live in.”
In our bid to effectively address socio-economic issues, Proconics has built The Groundery Connection. A first-of-its-kind coffee shop and third corporate space in our reception area operated by our two beneficiaries James Du Toit and Thuso Mkwanazi who we identified and vetted in partnership with Marietjie School for LSEN. Both these gentlemen are deaf with basic literacy levels. Over the course of the past year, Proconics has taken measures to train and upskill them and they now co-own The Groundery Connection and work as baristas. Wrote Proconics in a short statement
With this initiative, Proconics hopes to usher in a new era of enacting sustainable change in the communities we work and live in.
Nomvuselelo ushered everyone to the Ribbon for the ribbon-cutting ceremony after which she demonstrated ordering coffee at The Groundery Connection.
The Bulletin would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Proconics on this very welcome and innovative initiative.
Well done
