Growthpoint and Threads for iKasi partner bring warmth and dignity to Tembisa learners

Empowering young futures through staff-led community engagement

Growthpoint Properties (JSE: GRT), in collaboration with the non-profit organisation Threads for iKasi Foundation and on behalf of its employees, has donated 50 full winter school uniforms to learners at Ikusasa Comprehensive School in Tembisa, Kempton Park. The handover ceremony, held at the school on Friday 23 May 2025, showed the spirit of employee-driven social impact.

Each complete uniform package includes a jersey, drymac, trousers with shirt, shoes, socks and a winter beanie. These donations are part of Growthpoint’s G² (Growthpoint Gives) programme, which enables the company’s team members to actively participate in upliftment efforts in their own communities.

Ikusasa Comprehensive School is a beacon of resilience and academic ambition in the Tembisa community. With a consistent rise in matric pass rate, increasing from 77.1% in 2021 to an outstanding 95.8% in 2024, the school aims to achieve a 100% pass rate and a 75% Bachelor’s pass this year. Together with its strong academic programme, Ikusasa promotes holistic development through arts, sports, culture and active social awareness campaigns around bullying, substance abuse and health.

The school currently supports many vulnerable learners, including eight child-headed households and 47 orphans. It faces infrastructure challenges and requires greater access to educational resources, technology, and classroom upgrades.

“We are incredibly touched by the generosity of Growthpoint and Threads for iKasi,” says Principal Gladwell Makhoba of Ikusasa Comprehensive School. “These uniforms mean so much more than just clothing – they restore dignity, boost self-esteem, and remind our learners that they matter. The support we’ve received sends a powerful message: our children are seen, they are valued, and they have a community that believes in their future.”

Threads for iKasi, with its mission to create environments where no child is left behind, has successfully rolled out similar initiatives in over a dozen schools in Tembisa. Its model is grounded in restoring dignity through educational support and ensuring that learners are equipped not just academically, but emotionally and socially.

“For me, a school uniform has always meant more than just clothing — it’s a sense of pride, a feeling of belonging, and a quiet promise of potential,” says Khabo Mnguni, Co-founder of Threads for iKasi. “Growing up in the township, I saw firsthand how something as simple as a uniform could change how a child saw themselves. That’s why this mission is so close to my heart. Our partnership with Growthpoint is a golden thread of care, stitched into the futures of these learners. It’s about more than just warmth and appearance — it’s about dignity, confidence, and showing our children that they are seen, supported, and worthy.”

This contribution reflects the heart of the G² programme, which encourages Growthpoint’s staff to lead with empathy and impact.

Shawn Theunissen, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Growthpoint Properties. “A Growthpoint team member introduced Threads for iKasi, which brought Ikusasa’s needs to our attention, and we are proud to support their call. In addition to providing vital warmth for children in winter, the initiative is also affirming dignity and supporting learners to focus on their education without unnecessary hardship.”

Growthpoint Properties’ CSR approach is rooted in its commitment to responsible corporate citizenship. Through G², every employee also receives eight hours annually to participate in volunteer activities, making social impact a shared value across the organisation.

“We believe that corporate responsibility lives not just in boardrooms but in every hand helping,” adds Theunissen. “This donation is one small part of our broader commitment to our employees, their communities and to education. We believe that partnerships with educators will yield positive results towards our shared vision of building a better life for all.”