There were smiles, laughs and a feeling of irrepressible joy in the air as Steyn City Foundation ushered in the festive season with Delivering Happiness to Diepsloot, its annual drive to give the young members of its neighbouring community a strong dose of Christmas cheer.
This is the eleventh year Steyn City’s convoy has delivered presents to the 12 500 learners in Diepsloot’s primary schools. “When we set out to establish Steyn City as a legacy project, we realised that we could never achieve this aim unless our development had a positive impact on the communities around us,” says Giuseppe Plumari, CEO of Steyn City Properties. Diepsloot was an obvious choice for our attention because so many of our contractors and employees come from this neighbouring community. And Christmas was also an obvious focus, as for many of Diepsloot’s children, with no presents and no special meals, there is nothing to mark this day as different to any other.”
The Steyn City Foundation sets out to change this with generous and ongoing support from Auto & General Insurance, by distributing school bags crammed full of goodies, treats and essentials every year. This year the focus was less on the bag, due to the team noticing that these school backpacks lasted several years, and more emphasis was placed on the content with a beautiful drawstring bag filled with must-haves and a few treats. Items from water bottles and lunch boxes, a lucky packet, crayons, soccer balls, sweets and colouring books for children in foundation phase were delivered, while older children received skipping ropes, hats, maths sets, pencil bags, water bottles and flip files. Biscuits and sweets were also added for learners to enjoy with their families.
“We are delighted to once again support this incredible initiative. Auto & General has active and impactful corporate citizenship programmes in place that enhance the livelihoods of individuals in our neighbouring community of Diepsloot through skills development and job creation to reduce poverty. This is another way we are trying to make a difference,” says Ricardo Coetzee, Head of Auto & General Insurance.
Fidelity, JMPD and SAPS also helped to turn the event into a major success by lending their services on the day.
The festive atmosphere was given an extra vibe thanks to the input of MC Eddie Matladi, while the Zinto dancers encouraged the young learners to get on stage to show off their moves in the hope of winning stationery sponsored by BIC®, with all prizes handed over by BIC®’s lovable brand character, BIC® Boy.
“Every year, I am reminded of what a privilege it is to take part in this very special initiative – and this year was no different,” says Plumari. For more information, www.steyncity.co.za
