"People are certainly finding the series inspiring, and have been offering help, sending in their stories and asking for copies of episodes," says Rory Boyes-Varley, Kaelo Executive Producer and director of Kaelo Worldwide Media. "We have been very pleased with the response, the public definitely wants to know what is happening in this area as our country develops. Viewers can see the miracles that happen when the contributions of corporates are matched with the courage and determination of individuals to make things change for the better."
"As the country that ranks seventh best in Social Responsibility according to the 2004 World Competitiveness Yearbook ranking, we should be informing both the local and international community about our success stories. This is even more pertinent in the light of the 2003 World Bank Report on Investment into Emerging countries, where the single most important factor influencing the investment decision is Corporate Social Responsibility and how 'CSR ready" the companies in a country are."
"We need to educate the public and instill pride in our people as the nation that does more than most other countries worldwide in creating a land that is 'alive with possibility'," says Boyes-Varley. "We have been focused on developing new platforms for this communication for some time and have collected a body of incredible stories. The television series continues until July and there are still opportunities for companies to get involved and submit stories to feature in the various media elements."
Besides the television series, several other mass media platforms have been created for CSR communication. The Kaelo website, http://www.kaelosa.com has been launched and stories will be covered in radio interviews, newspaper features and magazine columns. A book featuring stories from the series is being produced by the publishers of best-seller "South Africa - The Good News".
The series has been made possible through the overall sponsorship of First National Bank, Pick 'n Pay, the Transnet Foundation and the Telkom Foundation, all leaders in social responsibility initiatives.
