Latest news with #IkanengCombinedSchool
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
SASKO upgrades 1 000 playgrounds in tribute to Mandela Month
In a powerful tribute to Mandela Month, SASKO has transformed playtime for thousands of children by upgrading 1 000 playgrounds at early childhood development centres and primary schools across South Africa, bringing joy, safety, and hope to communities nationwide. 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. The Star [email protected]
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
SASKO upgrades 1 000 playgrounds in tribute to Mandela Month
SASKO Bakeries - Gauteng Cluster Lead, Ngange Ngxiki Deputy Director, Sports and Enrichment Department of Basic Education, Potledi Ngoepe SASKO Senior Brand Manager, Thandolwethu Madliki PepsiCo Corporate Affairs Director: Nico Moloto Education Psychologist: Dr Sibusiso Ntshangase at Ikaneng Combined School, Soweto, to celebrate the SASKO Siyasizana 1,000 playgrounds milestone In a powerful tribute to Mandela Month, SASKO has transformed playtime for thousands of children by upgrading 1 000 playgrounds at early childhood development centres and primary schools across South Africa, bringing joy, safety, and hope to communities nationwide. 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. The Star
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Siyasizana programme aims to reach 5-million children by 2030
Children at Glenhills Primary School in KwaDukuza, KwaZulu-Natal, cheered as a new jungle gym was unveiled in their playground on Wednesday morning as part of the PepsiCo Siyasizana initiative. The school is one of 1,000 beneficiaries across the country that have received new or upgraded playgrounds since the "Play Better" campaign was launched in 2023. The playground is part of PepsiCo's Sasco's Siyasizana initiative, aimed at helping children from underprivileged communities learn and grow through play. "People who care make things better," said a Sasko representative. Children of Glenhills were singing and dancing with SASKO Sam after the handing over of the Jungle gym Image: SUPPLIED Glenhills principal Hansrajh Hurilal, told TimesLIVE Sasko donates bread for pupils in his school for lunch. "Sasko has come to our aid when we needed them the most. They have provided us with a jungle gym and bread on a regular basis." said Hurilal. "The jungle gym really has assisted our children because they need some physical activities besides being in the classroom and they also get out in the fresh air." The event also included a tour of the Sasko bakery in Shakaskraal, which produces 8,000 loaves of bread every hour. PepsiCo's chief marketing officer Bella Chesaney said the playgrounds were more than just a fun space. "They are safe spaces. In some areas they've become places where communities gather, run feeding programmes and even support women's groups," she said. "Children are the heart and soul of our future. When you invest in schools, you invest in the nation." Cornel Vermeulen, general manager of the Sasko baking business, said the Shakaskraal facility is the most modern of the 13 Sasko bakeries in South Africa. He called it the heartbeat of Sasko's business in KwaZulu-Natal and a key player in food security for the region. About 2.4-billion loaves of bread are consumed in South Africa every year. Vermeulen said one out of every four loaves sold is a Sasko loaf. The company's distribution system includes more than 1,300 trucks delivering to more than 40,000 customers every day, travelling more than four million kilometres a month. Most of these deliveries go to informal traders and township stores, which make up 70% of the market. Teachers from Ikaneng Combined School in Diepkloof, Soweto, another school honoured with a playground on Friday during a Mandela Month event, said the donations went beyond infrastructure. "Most of our learners come to school hungry. The bread donations from Sasko help them focus in class. The jungle gym gives them a reason to look forward to school," one teacher said. A symbolic 1,000-slice loaf of bread was displayed to celebrate the milestone of 1,000 playgrounds. Marking the 1,000 playgrounds built or renovated by the Siyasizana 'play better' initiative was the playground in Ikaneng Combined School in Diepkloof, Soweto Image: Refilwe Kholomonyane The event also focused on anti-bullying awareness. Asked what bullying was, some children said it was when someone took one's lunch or called one bad names. Sandwiches were made from 1,000 slices of bread for the children at Ikaneng, known as the "first born" of the initiative. Vermeulen said the campaign was proof that commercial success and community upliftment could go hand in hand. PepsiCo's goal is to reach five million children by 2030. TimesLIVE
