Gaydon, UK, 18 July 2024 – JLR, in partnership with The Washing Machine Project, has launched the Clean Clothes Campaign, introducing hand-cranked, sustainable washing machines designed to transform the lives of women and children in South Africa. The initiative targets the community of Diepsloot, Johannesburg, aiming to alleviate the burden of handwashing clothes, a task that consumes up to 20,000 hours of labor each week.
Engineered by The Washing Machine Project and assembled by JLR colleagues, these manual Divya washing machines significantly cut washing time by 75% and water consumption by 50%, operating without the need for electricity. The machines were constructed by JLR engineers and transported to South Africa using JLR’s Defender vehicles.
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“This project means a lot to me. My grandma used to handwash clothes due to no electricity. It was a privilege to contribute to a product that’s going to change people’s lives in South Africa,” expressed Jo Alexander, JLR Lead CAE Engineer.
The year-long campaign has involved a substantial effort from JLR’s workforce, including raising over £4,900 through the company’s Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage (REACH) network. The luxury car manufacturer leveraged its automotive expertise to refine the design and functionality of the Divya washing machines, ensuring they meet the needs of South African households.
Mandisa Gordon, JLR’s Finance Business Change Manager, who spearheaded the campaign, noted, “JLR is dedicated to making an impact in communities where the need is greatest. We were overwhelmed by the huge support we received from our colleagues in the UK and South Africa. Participating in food parcels and personal care product deliveries, as well as fundraising, has been some of my proudest moments!”
Navjot Sawhney, the founder of The Washing Machine Project and former JLR employee, initiated this social enterprise after witnessing the arduous chore of handwashing clothes during a trip to India. Sawhney praised JLR’s contribution, stating, “This project will impact over a thousand lives in South Africa for many years to come. I can’t thank JLR enough for their massive support.”
The Clean Clothes Campaign aligns with JLR’s mission to achieve a net-zero sustainable future. The Divya washing machines operate with a 30-minute wash cycle, completing a 5kg load with minimal manual effort. The machines are sustainable, recyclable, and designed to meet the needs of large families and women-led households, addressing common issues like chronic back pain and skin irritation associated with handwashing.
François Dossa, JLR Executive Director of Strategy and Sustainability, commented, “Cleaning clothes is essential and should be done by both men and women. I fully support this project because it touches on Sustainability, ESG, and DE&I, aligning with JLR’s mission to positively impact our stakeholders, partners, and extended communities.”
In addition to the washing machines, JLR colleagues have spearheaded other charitable initiatives, such as delivering 100 food parcels to families in Diepsloot. This campaign is part of JLR’s broader commitment to community and environmental care, reflected in its Engage for Good programme, which supports partnerships with NGOs, employee volunteering, vehicle supply, and project funding.
Source: JLR Engineers Create Manual Washing Machines to Aid Over 1,000 Women and Children in South Africa
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