Johannesburg - Conference organiser, Gerom Media, has announced that its annual Sponsorship Forum will take place in Johannesburg on 17 April 2020 and according to Gerrit Davids, MD of Gerom Media, “Sponsors and rights holders will engage each other in a highly interactive environment, sharing best practice and strategies on how commercial partnerships could deliver real and sustainable returns on the sponsor’s investment and business objectives.

The Forum will be preceded by a Masterclass on 16 April 2020, focusing on “Effective Win-Win Sponsorship Negotiations”, with the main emphasis on structuring and aligning deals, with the business objectives of a sponsor.

A dedicated Session will also unpack the role and value of sponsorship agencies and according to Davids, “The role of sponsorship agencies is still a key conversation in the bigger scheme of things, and a dedicated session will unpack the current trends in the sponsorship and marketing arena, as well as assessing the continued value of agencies managing the sponsorship between sponsors and rights holders”. 

The “UnConference Session”, will be an open discussion giving delegates an opportunity to raise their concerns regarding the current challenges faced in a highly disrupted economy, in terms of forging sustainable partnerships with sponsors.

Key Themes

• Negotiating Effective Win-Win Sponsorship Deals
• What are the Challenges faced by both rights holders and sponsors
• Is Big Data Sponsorship’s Big Elephant in the Room? Are you ignoring it at your peril?
• Key Sustainable Considerations and Strategies for Sponsors and Rights Holders
• Designing and Implementing Effective Sponsorship Activation Campaigns to deliver optimum ROI and ROO
• What are the key ingredients for activating effective Digital Strategies

Select list of Past Sponsorship Forum: Speakers

• Aleck Skhosana, President, Athletics SA
• Michael Meyer, MD Stillwater Sports (Organisers of the Athletics Grand Prix Series)
• Samantha Kaaber, General Manager, Marketing, Liquid Telecom
• Carel Bosman, Head, Sponsorships, Momentum
• Clint Paterson, CEO, Levergy
• David Sidenberg, Executive Director & CEO, BMI Sportinfo
• Andrew Ross, Group Managing Director, Chaos Theory Events
• Colin Webster, General Secretary, Mind Sports South Africa (E-Sports)
• Bandile Mngoma and Sponsorships & Events Manager, Old Mutual

To receive a Booking Form, send an e-mail to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

For further details contact: Gerrit Davids (MD): Gerom Media, Sports & Entertainment (Pty) Ltd

Mobile: 082 496 1657
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.sportsbusiness.co.za

CM Trading is going round-for-round with EFC Africa in the global arena and it’s turning out to be the pairing of year! The announcement earlier this year that CM Trading is jumping into the ring with a one-year sponsorship of EFC (Extreme Fighting Championship) and a deal with EFC middleweight king Dricus du Plessis to act as their brand ambassador for six months, was met with more than a bit of surprise in the industry. But, this online trading company with an out of the box approach to investment opportunities has a reputation for making surprising moves, and a successful start to the sponsorship has validated their decision. This is certainly no surprise to Daniel Kibel, CM Trading Co-Founder. "We are very excited about how our partnership with the EFC, and with Dricus in particular, is progressing. As Africa’s largest and best-known online broker, CM Trading’s cooperation with Africa’s fastest growing sport is a natural fit. CM Trading is Africa’s local international broker, so it’s decidedly a perfect match.”

A sponsorship of this nature is a big win for EFC and has also had positive ripple effects for du Plessis. “Having Brands such as CM Trading get behind the sport in Africa is absolutely huge,” says du Plessis. “The sport depends on large corporations to build awareness, a sponsorship of this nature, adds weight to the growing popularity of EFC across the continent, and the globe. It is a solid step in the right direction to take the sport to a whole new level, introducing it to a whole new set of fans.”

CM Trading is committed to demystifying online trading and demonstrating its accessibility to everyone. So naturally, we were interested in hearing du Plessis’ take on whether he has dabbled in any online trading. “I have spent some time on their platform and am still learning the art of online trading, but the videos and guides are so interesting and accessible and have been really helpful, I like the fact that this is a trusted platform and that I know my money is safe with CM Trading.”

It’s obvious that this sponsorship is about so much more than just the sport to du Plessis.  “The Partnership with CM trading allows me to learn more and more about the art of trading and has helped me to set up options for additional income streams, which is obviously very important for a professional athlete. With these additional income streams in place, and with my knowledge of online trading growing daily, I can fulfil my dream and focus 100% of my time on becoming the best MMA athlete in the world.”

Finally, based on what he has learnt so far, he has some advice for friends and fans, “Number 1 – Learn to budget properly, stop overspending on material things, get a steady primary income and then learn to start adding additional income streams like trading forex. With CM Trading this has been so incredibly easy, I am already starting to reap the benefits.”

iCE Angel - ID™ is a comprehensive global medical alert and emergency identification platform that uses panic buttons installed on everyday smartphone and smartwatches, and scannable QR codes to instantly notify our loved ones. The reality is that emergencies and accidents can happen to anyone, anywhere, and anytime. And the problem is that when seconds count, our family’s contact details are often not readily available, and they usually don’t have access to our health insurance details and medical history. “iCE” stands for “in case of emergency”. Whether you suffer from a chronic illness or critical allergy; care for elderly parents or young children; are a frequent traveller or outdoor enthusiast; live in the city or a rural area… iCE Angel - ID™ offers peace of mind for you and your family.

The founder of iCE Angel - ID™, Richie Law is a South African who intrinsically understands his home country’s safety and emergency environment having lost his mother at the age of 17 to a motor vehicle accident, and then his father a few years later, murdered in a failed robbery attempt. As an avid outdoors sportsman, he too has been rushed to the emergency room on numerous occasions due to his life-threatening allergy to bee stings, and being hit by cars while cycling.

In 2015, Richie was invited and funded by one of China’s leading internet technology accelerators to develop his proposed medical alert platform. Since then, iCE Angel – ID Limited has been operating from Shanghai, leveraging a formidable combination of leading-edge technology and a massive Chinese population, to offer safety solutions primarily to the senior care, and outbound travel sectors.

Richie said that the timing of the sponsorship announcement on the 10th Nelson Mandela International Day is an ideal way to introduce iCE Angel - ID™ to South Africa. He also mentioned that the initiative was very personal to him, quoting his belief that “service to others is the highest form of purpose”. In this context, Richie had previously worked at the Nelson Mandela Institute for Education and Rural development, a non-profit founded by President Nelson Mandela to take forward his legacy work in education and rural development in South Africa; as well as Umsobomvu Youth Fund, a government agency that was setup to create a platform for job creation, and skills development for South Africa's youth. Since relocating to China, Richie became a founding member of a non-profit organisation to alleviate poverty through skills development, and has committed a significant portion of his resources to various causes, especially those that protect and uplift people at risk. He went on to say: “Every business decision I make, is made with social impact in mind. If I don’t see the possibility for greater good, I move onto something else. There’s never a shortage of opportunities to make a positive difference to others. Besides the feature-rich premium subscriptions (priced at USD15 per year per account) that we are donating via this sponsorship, there is a basic free tier that the public can sign up for that addresses their fundamental safety needs by alerting their families and sharing their location in an emergency.”

The sponsorship offer is open to both registered and non-registered public benefit or community organisations in South Africa, including emergency rescue services, medical care services, medical support groups, senior care services, child care services, homeless shelters, public schools, and sport clubs. Applications must be submitted via (Facebook) Messenger at https://www.messenger.com/t/iceangelid, stating in 500 words or less: who your organisation is, what your organisation does, how our platform could benefit your community, and the number of people you support in your community. Applications will close by 31 August 2019 and sponsorship will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis subject to qualifying criteria.

Further product information is available at https://www.iceangelid.com
Enquiries about this promotion can be sent to https://www.messenger.com/t/iceangelid
News and updates are available at https://www.facebook.com/iceangelid

One wouldn’t necessarily associate EFC (Extreme Fighting Championship) Africa with online trading company CM Trading, but with their reputation for an out of the box approach to investment opportunities, assuming anything about these connected mavericks might leave you somewhat surprised. The announcement of their one-year sponsorship of EFC Africa, along with their 6-month deal with middleweight king Dricus du Plessis to act as their brand ambassador, has certainly cemented their eagerness to disrupt a sometimes-staid environment and to appeal to a broader base of clients – demystifying online trading and demonstrating its accessibility to everyone.

"We are very excited about our new partnership with the EFC. As Africa’s largest and best-known online broker, CM Trading’s cooperation with Africa’s fastest growing sport is a natural fit. CM Trading is Africa’s local international broker, so it was a perfect match. As the largest broker in Africa, it's our mission to encourage new and experienced traders to choose safe and regulated trading conditions which we provide to our clients all over the globe" says Daniel Kibel, CM Trading Co-Founder.

With the aim to increase brand awareness and explore other markets all over Africa, a sponsorship of this nature, especially with the growing popularity of EFC across the continent, and the globe, is a solid step in the right direction. Supported by TV adverts and branding rights; and with the commitment from EFC to promote the partnership in campaigns through its social media channels and other forms of media, it certainly is only a matter of time before word hits the street of Africa’s largest broker partnering with Africa’s fastest growing sport.

The winning fit is made even more relevant with the announcement of CM Trading’s award for the third time as the “Best Performing Broker in Africa”, this time by International Business Magazine - truly a prestigious achievement in a much sought-after category. Winning this award three years in a row is unprecedented and has reinforced their standing across global platforms as an African force to be reckoned with.

And the future? Does a successful sponsorship of this nature mean that we are going to see more unforeseen partnerships and innovative brand awareness tactics from CM Trading popping up in the future? “Watch this space”, is Kibels enigmatic response.

Nando’s joins the Loeries to celebrate design Design from Africa and the Middle East finally gets the recognition it deserves with the expanded Nando’s Design category at the Loeries in 2019. This year’s category has been extended to recognise design from a much broader range of creative professionals. “We’ve expanded the design category beyond only brand communication to include areas of design such as retail furniture and product design, fabric, wallpaper, lighting, architecture and interior design, and even the design of signage programmes,” says Loeries CEO Andrew Human. He adds that the Loeries has long been recognised as the highest accolade in advertising and brand communication.

“A strong design award has been lacking for our region and this is a great opportunity for all designers to showcase their work and achieve recognition.” Design is woven into the Nando’s DNA, making Nando’s a natural partner for the Design category. “Design and creativity have been an intrinsic part of the Nando’s way of doing business.

Nando’s is the first local brand to collaborate with local designers at the scale it does,” says Deirdre King, Nando’s Brand Experience GM. She adds: “Putting our support behind the design community is important to doing business well. Our PERi-PERi power has charted new paths and careers for many local artists and their art. Putting that same fire behind the extended Design category for the 2019 Loeries gives us a chance to spice things up for the wonderful designers who will imprint their names onto this exciting category. According to Gaby de Abreu, Loeries board member and creative head of Switch Design, the awards are invaluable because they offer a chance for designers to showcase their work to a far greater audience.

“The Nando’s Design category at the Loeries is an opportunity to showcase excellence across disciplines in countries throughout Africa and the Middle East. For independent designers, it’s a unique chance to achieve recognition across the industry, reaching creatives internationally,” says de Abreu. “For a furniture designer working in an independent workshop or a graphic designer outside of the agency network, this year’s Loeries offers a chance to show the world what you’ve achieved,” he adds. The Nando’s Design category at the Loeries is open to designers across all the main disciplines. The entry deadline is 15 May and more information can be found on loeries.com.

About Nando's: While proudly South African, Nando’s is an international flame-grilling, PERi-PERi chicken restaurant group. We offer a twist of Afro-Portuguese with an upmarket and comfortable dining experience. Two friends, Robert Brozin and Fernando Duarte, opened the first Nando’s in 1987 in Johannesburg, South Africa. All Nando's PERi-PERi chicken is marinated for 24 hours, locally sourced and never frozen, ensuring our customers only get the finest flavours.

Our unique PERi-PERi recipe includes herbs, spices, garlic, lemon juice and bird’s eye chilli. Nando's authentic PERi -PERi has captivated its customers all over the world, making it the largest South African restaurant group to expand internationally. DEADLINE FOR 2019 LOERIES ENTRIES EXTENDED TO MAY 31 About Loeries Africa Middle East: The Loeries, a non-profit company, is Africa and the Middle East’s premiere initiative that recognises, rewards, inspires and fosters creative excellence in the brand communication industry.

As the highest accolade for creativity and innovation across our region, the Loeries promotes and supports creativity by helping marketers, agencies and consumers appreciate the value of ideas and fresh thinking.

Culminating in the biggest creative gathering in Africa and the Middle East, Loeries Creative Week Durban brings together the best innovative minds from our industry for a festival of networking, inspiring minds and recognising great work. Our region's creative economy is world-class and has great potential to grow and to offer employment both to our talented youth. The growth occurring throughout Africa and the Middle East is very exciting, and a major focus of the Loeries is to increase the standard of brand communication in the region.

Major Partners of the Loeries: DStv Media Sales, Gearhouse Category Partners: AB InBev, Barron, Brand South Africa, Facebook, Gagasi FM, Google, JCDecaux, Nando’s, Tsogo Sun, Woolworths Additional Partners and Official Suppliers: AAA School of Advertising, Antalis South Africa, Aon South Africa, Backsberg, BEE Online, First Source, Fresh RSVP Guest Logistics, Funk Productions, Gallo Images, Grid Worldwide, Hetzner, Mama Creative, Newsclip, Paygate, Rocketseed, Shared Value Initiative, Shift Social Development, Vega School, VQI Communications Nigeria Endorsed by: Association of Communication and Design, Brand Council South Africa, Commercial Producers Association, Creative Circle, EXCA, IAB, South African Institute of Architects, IID Official Media Partners Between 10and5, Bizcommunity.com, Book of Swag, Brand Communicator Nigeria, Business Insider by Pulse, Campaign Middle East, Film & Event Media, Modern Marketing The Redzone. Twitter: @loeries Instagram: Loerieawards Facebook: The Loeries

Distributed on behalf of the Loeries by: Riana Greenblo Communications: 011 3256006

For more information, interview requests or high-res images please contact: Gina McLoughlin: 0113256006 (mornings only)or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Riana Greenblo: +27 82 5675159 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Since 2013, DSC Attorneys, a law firm specialising in personal injury and Road Accident Fund (RAF) claims, has been sponsoring an annual golf day to raise funds for The Woodside Special Care Centre, a residential home for profoundly disabled persons.

This year the event raised R220 000 – its biggest collection yet.

DSC Attorneys hosted the golf day at the Kuils River Golf Club on 15 November. All the funds raised were donated to the Woodside Special Care Centre.

The money raised through the event has steadily increased over the years with R70 000 being raised in 2013, R107 000 in 2014, R141 000 in 2015, R192 500 in 2016 and in R190 000 in 2017.

Office manager at DSC Attorneys, Michéle de Jager, says the support that this year’s golf day garnered was both overwhelming and heart-warming. “We first thought we’d surpassed our target of R200k by raising R215 000 this year, but then people were so inspired by Woodside’s work that we had a few last-minute donations come in. This pushed the final amount we collected to R220 000,” she says.The remaining funds were raised through entry fees, raffles, monies collected through smaller competitions and an auction on the day – where the items on auction were sponsored by the law firm.

DSC Attorneys also sponsored a four-ball team made up of the Woodside Centre’s board of trustees.

Woodside Special Care Centre is a residential home in Rondebosch East, Cape Town. It provides specialised care for persons who live with more than one disability, including intellectual and physical disabilities.“We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without people like the team from DSC Attorneys. They have been instrumental in making the lives of Woodside Special Care residents better,” says Clive Obery, Marketing Manager of the centre.

Obery says the funds donated by DSC Attorneys are utilised for the centre’s Wards of the Court Programme. The programme looks after children aged 6-12 who’ve been placed in the centre’s care by the State. Many of the children in the programme have three to four disabilities and are unable to bathe, dress or feed themselves.  “Their families don’t have the facilities, skills and training to provide them with the constant specialised care they need,” says Obery. It costs the centre approximately R11 000 per month to care for one of the 25 children in the Wards of the Court Programme.  The centre employs 122 staff and houses a total of 80 residents, some of whom have been living there for over 40 years. “We have about ten residents who’ve been here since the age of two and are now in their late 40s and early 50s. They end up staying here because there isn’t anywhere else for them to go,” says Obery.

When DSC Attorneys first hosted the golf day in 2013 at the Bellville Golf Club, 24 four-ball entrants took part. Since then, it’s grown to accommodate a full field of 34 teams, including business partners of the law firm and private individuals, many of whom have made the competition an annual tradition.

After the day of golf, the teams enjoyed a gala dinner where prizes were awarded to the top 19 teams.  This year the winning four-ball was the team from Groote Post Wine Estate in Darling.Anyone who wants more information or would like to make a contribution to Woodside Special Care Centre can contact Clive on 021 696 2811 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Gauteng, South Africa – On Thursday, 15 November Forever Resorts South Africa hosted their annual Charity Golf Day, this year in aid of the Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss in SA at Blue Valley Golf and Country Estate.   

The Foundation aims to improve the quality of life for people with hearing loss, creating a sustainable future for people with hearing loss, inspire, educate, develop and empower an entire community, create fresh perspectives and innovative solutions, promote social welfare, encourage poverty alleviation and generate a lasting change.  

The Forever Golf Day raised a total of R189 093.01 and the funds were paid over directly to the foundation to help three children (Haley Smit (4 years), Ronisha Malander (4 years) and Mulweli Makhuva (9 years)) with funds to pay for their cochlear implants. Mulweli underwent his operation on Monday, 19 November 2018 and will now be going through the process of slowly training his brain to hear again as he lost his hearing due to illness some years ago.  

“On behalf of Forever Resorts we would like to thank our wonderful sponsors who participated in our annual Golf Day, without you, your passion and your selfless generosity this would not have been possible. Oranje Drukkers, Bravo Group Sealy, Backgat Braai,  Adams&Adams, Pam Golding Nelspruit, Beeld, Birchwood Hotel, Unlimited Events Group, Forever Warmbaths, Forever Badplaas, Forever Gariep, Forever Centurion, Forever Loskopdam, Forever White River, BDT Accountants, AirlinkVictoria Falls Rainbow Hotel, Wild Horizons Tours, The Good Oaks, Pentagon Security Consultants, FNB, Valorem, Agri SA, Rockwood Theatre, Delheim Wines, Levati Water, Rhino Clothing, Work Front, Dairymaid, Pretoria FM, Decimal Agency and Zebula Golf Estate and Spa”, said Heidi Halgryn, Marketing Executive at Forever Resorts South Africa.

PRETORIA, Gauteng, November 17, 2018 – A new Web-Traffic Creation Project announced today that it is raising funds via a rewards crowdfunding campaign on Jumpstarter Crowdfunding.  The fundraising project is called the Pay It Forward Web-Traffic Creation Project, running to develop more web-traffic generation products.  The business set out to raise R100,000 on Jumpstarter Crowdfunding to finish development to produce and publish within three months, the next batch of its web-traffic generation properties that is going to change the web-traffic generation market in South Africa.

Responding to the market gap created by the difficulty experienced by most businesses to be found easily by their target market on Google, the Web-Traffic Creation Project sprang into action to bring about an effective way to help all businesses in need, especially in South Africa, to also experience similar success. “All businesses who give out their website name to customers that they get in touch with, can of course be easily found on Google by those specific customers, and indeed anyone else who comes across that business’ website name.  However, this limits any business being found by the majority of its potential customers i.e. all the rest of its potential customers who are actively searching in various ways on Google, every day, for the very services that they offer.  Through my schooling, we have noticed that most businesses, due to no fault of their own, don’t know how to get themselves in a position where they pop up, when services that they offer, are searched for on Google.  Ideally for the very services they offer, a business should appear on page 1 of Google search results particularly the top spots on page 1, which is really where sales occur the most.

This situation opens up an opportunity for web-traffic creation products like ours, to step in and be of valuable assistance to any business owner”, says the Pay It Forward Web-Traffic Creation Project owner, Mosima Kekana.

According to Kekana, the vigilance exercised by Google together with their regular software updates geared toward ensuring the best search experience for its users, is the underlying reason that businesses are increasingly finding it difficult to be discovered by the majority of their ideal target market on Google.  “We face it, the unfortunate reality is that even with the best products and services, and wonderfully set-up websites and search engine optimisation, most businesses are still stuck beyond Google search results that the average searcher is willing to scroll down to.  Worse, the majority of businesses are languishing near the bottom of search results on Google”, adds Kekana.

Kekana says that despite being new in the business, her Web-Traffic Creation products have achieved in three months, more than most web-traffic creation products have ever done, having consistently produced top search results for services in the markets the products have been set up for.  Kekana believes they represent the secret ingredients that produce fast web-traffic and sales.

Participation in this rewards-based Pay It Forward Web-Traffic Creation Project will attract a varied audience from those who love tech products and services that jumpstart growth for new and small business owners, to those who love fast web-traffic and sales results.  Not excluded from the rewards listed in this project are also those who would love free websites and website content done for them.  Kekana says the rewards for pledges towards the fundraising campaign, include answering personal burning questions about the art of progressing a website to ultimately land on the first page of Google search results.  Amongst the rest of the attractive rewards, backers for this project will also get an opportunity to nominate anyone or any business to have a website built for them as part of this Pay-It-Forward Web-Traffic Creation Project.  There are multi-tiered pledge levels that go with the relevant rewards.

The fundraising and rewards portion of the project closes on 14 December 2018.  For more information about this project as well as the rewards and how to contribute, go to Jumpstarter at https://jumpstarter.co.za/projects/pay-it-forward-web-traffic-creation-project/

Media Contact
Mosima Kekana
Project Owner
081 389 9571
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Campaign Page URL - https://jumpstarter.co.za/projects/pay-it-forward-web-traffic-creation-project/  

 The NFB Great Zuurberg Trail Run(GZTRun) is excited to announce that Merrellis on board for a second year as a support sponsor.  

Adventure seekers taking part in the 2019 NFB Great Zuurberg Trail Run will be able to do so in a pair of Merrell trail running shoes. Merrell is partnering with GZTRun and product-sponsoring its trail-running footwear to each participant. 

David Palmer from Medicus Shoes, the authorised distributor of Merrell brand footwear remarks on the partnership, saying, “We would like to offer participants the opportunity to hit the trail and live the real moments and experiences, in Merrell trail-running footwear. 

“We are true believers in the brand's product features and technical specifications, with its out-of-the-box comfort. Partnering with GZTRun provides the opportunity to express our passion for the brand by putting Merrell trail-running footwear onto participant's feet. This opens channels to explore, express, and do, what these enthusiasts adore in the outdoors, and allows us the opportunity to identify true brand influencers.”

Siska van der Bijl, NFB GZTRun race director is excited for the second race saying: “The NFB Great Zuurberg Trail Run embraces trail running’s pioneering and adventurous spirit. So the partnership with Merrell sings to both brand values.

“Our passion for the region drives us. Runners pass a cycad, estimated to be around a 1,000 years old, run through a beautiful alley of yellowwood trees, and navigate some technical trails. The route is diverse. And our races are unique. We believe our differentiators are our prestigious trails, high-end partners and discerning athletes. Plus our unashamedly luxurious twist.” 

About the NFB Great Zuurberg Trail Run

Taking place May 31stto June 2nd2019, the NFB GZTRun is a boutique event taking participants through South Africa’s most majestic trails. The route includes exclusive tracks in the untamed wild of Addo, traverses the Zuurberg mountains, and crosses remote sections of SANParks’ Addo Elephant National Park. 

Limited to 70 teams of two, the exclusive three-day trail run bases itself at the Zuurberg Mountain Villagewhere participants benefit from luxury hotel or tented accommodation, and fine dining at the race village.

There are three options for teams entering the trail run; both include access to exclusive trails that traverse the Addo/Zuurberg region, three stages and three nights accommodation, three delicious meals a day (excluding the bronze package, see below), race apparel, on course nutrition and all park and conservation fees.

The platinum packagecosts R14,000 for a team of two staying in luxury hotel accommodation at the Zuurberg Mountain Village. The gold package costs R10,000 per team for accommodation at the race village in luxury tents, and for those with their own accommodation the bronze package is R7,000 per team and includes three lunches.  

Entries are allocated on a first come, first served basis and will close once the limit of 70 teams is reached. Find out more, and enter online at www.gztrun.co.za.

Shipping containers to be used for Early Childhood Development Centre in Woodlane Village.

On Mandela Day, teams from different companies will join forces to paint eight shipping containers, which will become a much-needed crèche in the informal settlement, Woodlane Village – commonly referred to as Plastic View – in Moreleta Park, Pretoria.

Big Box Containers, a South African company that specialises in container sales, rentals and conversions, is partnering with SA Cares for Life, GROOTfm and other sponsors to help build this Early Development Centre for pre-schoolers.

The settlement began in 2007, when a group of people living in a nearby field came together to build on the land. Despite on-going legal battles over occupation of the land, the settlement continued to grow. By 2016, it included 3000 registered residents and 865 shacks – and today, it’s estimated that more than 7000 residents are living on the eight hectares of land.

The community includes hundreds of children below the ages of six. Due to poverty and lack of formal infrastructure, many of these children lack proper nutrition, healthcare, schooling and even access to basic sanitation.

Sanet Fagan, managing director of SA Cares for Life, says the activities on Mandela Day will mark the beginning of a school that will provide the children of Plastic View with education, food, safety, water and sanitation. Crime is a major concern for people living in the village and the surrounding communities, she says. “Studies have shown that children who don’t receive an education between three and four are more likely to be involved in criminal activity. By giving these children an education, we empower them to make better moral decisions.”

With ongoing discussion about possible relocation of the village, using containers to build the school makes sense. If a final decision to move the people of Woodlane Village is made, the school can be moved too, says GROOTfm project manager, Lindie Strydom.

Willie Mouton, a director of Big Box Containers, says the company got involved after he was approached by GROOTfm’s marketing manager, Luané Janse Van Rensburg. “I was driving in a Big Box branded bakkie and this woman came running after me. I was quite concerned as I thought she’d been injured, so I immediately stopped. It was then that she handed me a business card and told me they needed a sponsor for the containers.”

The eight containers, valued at R282 000, have already been converted by Big Box Containers. To be suitable for use as a school, however, they need to be insulated, which is expensive. Two other sponsors, SSG Consulting and ATTBuild, have donated R100 000 each to cover the costs.

Other companies have also joined the initiative, with sponsorship from Nancefield Auto Paints, Ecsponent Limited, VDT Attorneys and SPAR Northrand. Altogether, eight teams will meet on Mandela Day to colour in outlined drawings on the containers, kicking off an initiative in keeping with this year’s Mandela Day theme, #ActionAgainstPoverty.

However, this is only the first phase.

“We still need to equip the school with furniture, as well as items such as mattresses, cups, plates and educational material,” says Fagan. Sufficient funding to cover operational costs, including salaries for teachers, is also needed.

The project aims to create several jobs for women living in Plastic View. SA Cares for Life has prepared a shortlist of women it would like to train as educators and care-givers. “This way the project changes the destiny of not only the children, but the women who are employed at the school,” says Fagan.

The aim is to deliver the containers to Plastic View by August, with official set-up of the school in September or October. Training for the women workers is planned for November to December.

However, reaching these targets depends on whether all building and operational budget requirements are met, says Fagan.

Companies that want to help with donations can contact Fagan at SA Cares for Life.

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ABOUT BIG BOX CONTAINERS
Big Box Containers is one of the biggest privately owned container rental, sales and conversion companies in Africa, with operations in the Western Cape and Gauteng. The company has two decades of experience in converting shipping containers into functional work, living and event spaces. It’s also an active supporter of community, charitable and sporting events across South Africa.

Media contact
Taryn Nightingale; Gnu World Media
021 448 9280
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EDITOR’S NOTES:
For more information on:

• Big Box Containers, visit https://www.bigboxcontainers.co.za/about
• SA Cares for Life, visit https://www.sacares.website/
• GROOTfm, visit http://grootfm.co.za/
• the BOUPlasticCity project, visit http://grootfm.co.za/bou/
• and Mandela Day visit https://www.mandeladay.com/.