SASKO upgrades 1 000 playgrounds in tribute to Mandela Month
To celebrate the achievement of reaching 1,000 upgraded playgrounds, SASKO held a Mandela Day event at Ikaneng Combined School in Diepkloof, Soweto, on July 25. The school is one of many to benefit from the Siyasizana Play Better initiative. As part of the celebration, SASKO unveiled a special 1,000-slice loaf, a symbolic nod to both the milestone and Nelson Mandela's enduring vision for a better South Africa.
The loaf was used to prepare sandwiches for the children of Ikaneng. The act of care extended to a local NGO that supports feeding initiatives for learners in the community, ensuring that the spirit of Mandela Day is not only celebrated but lived out.
Launched in 2023, SASKO's Siyasizana Play Better initiative aims to bridge the gap in access to safe and quality play spaces at early childhood development centres and schools. Rooted in a spirit of care, the programme has invested over R10 million and relied on public participation, where South Africans nominated schools by purchasing SASKO bread. As a result, previously overlooked communities across Limpopo, Khayelitsha, Soweto, and Gqeberha now enjoy vibrant, inclusive play areas that spark creativity and joy.
According to the South African Early Childhood Review, over 60% of young children in South Africa do not have access to safe, age-appropriate play facilities.
Vilosha Soni, Chief Marketing Officer at PepsiCo South Africa, said SASKO is committed to ensuring that all children have the chance to enjoy safe play, feel valued, and experience a sense of belonging.
'SASKO believes every child deserves the right to play, to be safe, and to feel like they matter. These playgrounds represent more than structures; they are symbols of dignity and hope.'
She further said the initiative reflects what it means to put care into action, highlighting how lasting change is possible when consumers, communities, and businesses work together.
SASKO partnered with Buco, which helped bring a positive impact to schools by providing building materials for our playground structures.
Lesego Moagi, Group Marketing Executive at Buco, said that as a brand firmly rooted in local communities, Buco recognises that meaningful change comes from creating safe, supportive spaces where children can thrive.
He added that Buco has witnessed firsthand how the lack of safe and functional infrastructure continues to hinder learners' growth and potential.
'We've seen how the absence of safe, functional infrastructure continues to hold learners back, particularly in the foundation years where care, safety, and stimulation matter most. Contributing to the Siyasizana playgrounds has been aligned with our broader commitment to supporting education as a driver of social and economic development,' said Moagi.
SASKO aims to reach 5 million children by 2030, working to make play a fundamental right rather than a privilege. The brand intends to strengthen partnerships with NGOs and government bodies to expand its impact and bring meaningful change to underserved communities.
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