In line with the theme for Mandela Day, “It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity,” Merchants of Light NPO, Virgin Active Bedfordview and Kit Kat Cash and Carry Benoni and Toyota Knights, went out to share their Mandela Day with a community in Primrose Germiston.
Merchants of Light, believe that small acts of kindness, a simple bowl of food, a warm blanket, or a gesture of love, can create bonds within a community and ultimately in our nation. They would like to thank the team from the Virgin Active Bedfordview and Kit Kat Cash and Carry who supported this initiative. One hundred and fifty grocery hampers were distributed; each parcel caters for a family of four. A loaf of bread and a hot meal was served to 250 people, who also received bags of oranges, clothing and blankets.
Outreach programmes are done on a continuous basis. The success of this programme rests on the support and partnering with like minded business entities, who believe that we can make a difference. During the week of Mandela Day, Merchants of Light managed to feed 2410 people and distribute 400 grocery hampers with Kit Kat Cash and Carry. This activation spread across Germiston, Primrose and Kensington, Southern Suburbs of Rosettenville and Turfontein, Kliptown and Pimville Soweto. Merchants of Light, have several active projects that run throughout the year, Weekly feeding schemes, school shoe and stationery drives, along with disaster management and relief. From packing of toiletries, mattresses, and blankets for victims of floods and fires, to cooking or dishing up bowls of hope and light. If you are able to support this initiative please contact @theMerchantsOfLight or message 082 5050 664
Cathay Pacific joins Miss Earth SA on World Environment Day
The Miss Earth South Africa leads tree planting and vegetable garden project at Zodiac Primary School in Lenasia in Celebration of World Environment Day last week.
The special initiative focused on the planting of trees and the creation of a sustainable vegetable garden on the school grounds. More than just a greening activity, this project aimed to inspire and educate the young minds of the school—particularly the Grade 3 learners—on the importance of environmental stewardship, food security, and collective action.
The Grade 3 learners managed to transform a corner of the school that was baren and forgotten and turned it into a beacon of hope and sustainability through collaborative efforts led by the partners of the Miss Earth South Africa, such as Cathay Pacific, Skin Renewal SA, Samsonite, 9Five Fertilizers, Wild Route, 3Sixty Compost and the Toyota Knights.
“Our goal is to plant more than just trees and vegetables; we’re planting seeds of hope, knowledge, and responsibility,” said Ella Bella Leite, Director of Miss Earth South Africa Leadership and Empowerment Programme. “Together with our partners, we’re showing learners what it means to care for the earth and for each other. It’s about People and Planet. This garden is an example of how environmental action and social impact go together, reminding us of all that by investing in the youth and their home, we are able to nurture a better future for everyone.”
The newly established vegetable garden will be integrated into the school’s feeding scheme, directly contributing to nutritious meals for learners and reinforcing the school’s role as a safe, supportive space for children to grow, both academically and physically. This is a step forward in tackling food insecurity in the community – one garden at a time.
The day was filled with energy, education, and purpose, as learners got their hands dirty alongside volunteers and representatives from each partner organisation. With tools in hand and hearts full of excitement, the children were taught how to care for their new garden, gaining practical skills that will last a lifetime.
The Miss Earth South Africa programme plants 21 trees celebrating 21 Years of Impact
In celebration of Arbour Month and World Tourism Day, the Miss Earth South Africa Leadership programme; embarked on a tree planting initiative that captured the spirit of environmental stewardship and community engagement.
The initiative took place in the heart of Soweto, where a dedicated team of volunteers, local community members, and our sustainability partners; Samsonite, Afritree and Gebco; gathered at Lulama Primary School and Asha Dawn Pre-Primary School. The day was marked by the planting of 21 trees. The Karee Tree was chosen as it is the tree of the year. This tree provides food for birds and insects; thus enhancing the local biodiversity and in years to come it will support and restore the region’s ecological balance, while at the same time creating a natural soil stabilisation and increasing infiltration of the soil, thus reducing erosion and raising the levels of the water table. These indigenous trees create a greener environmental space.
Catherine Constantinides; the director of the Miss Earth South Africa; stated that; “Arbour Month is a time to reflect on the importance of trees and their role in our environment. We are thrilled to be part of this movement, making a tangible impact by planting trees that will contribute to our community for years to come.” She also added, “We are grateful to be working with Samsonite, Afritree and Gebco, in this community which is so close to our hearts.”
The day was filled with educational activities aimed at raising awareness pertaining to the benefits of tree planting and the vital role that trees play in combating climate change. Attendees participated in workshops and discussions led by environmental experts, who emphasised the need for collective action to preserve our planet in the words of Ella Bella Leite; co-director of the organisation; “Our objective is to serve people and to serve planet. We must focus on a greener way of life in everything that we do.”
This initiative not only contributed to the beautification of the local landscape but also reinforced the organisation’s dedication to fostering a culture of environmental responsibility and climate action. The success of the event underscored the power of grassroots efforts in driving positive change and inspired many to take actionable steps toward protecting our planet.
The Miss Earth South Africa is proud to have planted 56 267 trees across South Africa in the past two decades. Mr Lucas Khumalo, the principal of Lulama Primary stated that, “We love to work with the Miss Earth South Africa and are excited to be the recipient school for this year’s arbour planting. I believe that a productive environment, leads to a productive education. We are also proud to be starting an orchard of fruit trees together. Twelve fruit trees have been planted and this will add to our school’s food kitchen.”
Miss Earth South Africa will be announced at the Southern Sun, Sandton Convention Centre on Saturday, 5th October. Please follow us on social media @missearth_sa.
PRESS RELEASE: Miss Earth South Africa 2021 and Skin Renewal bring some Spring Sunshine to Kliptown, Soweto
Nompumelelo Maduna and the Skin Renewal team greening Kliptown
The newly announced Miss Earth South Africa was out in Kliptown this week exploring this forgotten area of Soweto. Kliptown is right across from the Walter Sisulu Square, where historically, on 26 June 1955, the Congress of the People, met to draw up the Freedom Charter. The Freedom Charter embodies the ethos of the country where human rights are upheld, where the people shall govern, they shall share in the wealth and in the land of the country along with its resources, they shall have equal rights before the law and dignity for all. It speaks of a non-racial society, liberty and individual rights. The Charter formed part of the development of our Constitution which was created in 1996.
Across from the square that embodies our human rights, equality and justice we are faced with the stark reality of a society, a forgotten community. Over the railway tracks and into this informal settlement, that is the oldest residential district of Soweto, the area is a mixture of “built” houses that are dilapidated and falling apart to make-shift shacks and metal structures that these people call home. The railway station has been abandoned and the once thriving community shops are long gone.
Amongst all this stands a beacon of hope and her name is Pricilla Nkqwili. She has created opportunities for a group of Gogos called The Kliptown Gogos, to stitch, croquet and quilt different items like aprons, picnic blankets, bags, shoes and other items to sell. Through the work Pricilla has done, and through the support of Skin Renewal, who have funded and supported this project. Ten sewing machines were bought and donated to this centre, along with a skill development programme which aims to upskill these women to learn how to use these machines to create items for selling.
Miss Earth South Africa, along with Skin Renewal Fourways, did a handover of groceries for each of these Gogos who create beautiful products which are made with love and a smile. Through COVID and the travel restrictions it has been very difficult for these women to sell anything to the tourists who used to visit the Walter Sisulu Square and they are waiting for government to fully open its boarders so that their livelihoods can go back to normal, within safe measures but they long for normalcy.
Nompumelelo also had the opportunity to visit and pledge her support to a local community vegetable garden. In the coming weeks, Miss Earth South Africa and Skin Renewal; will be adding to this beautiful space to increase their food yield by planting more vegetables, nut trees, companion plants and add to what Pricilla and her fellow farmer Tshepang have been working towards for the last year.
Skin Renewal also played a part in the starting of this vegetable garden as they funded the tools and start up seedlings for this green venture. Janine Walker and Anika Bosch have been instrumental in facilitation and making this part of their company’s CSI initiative. Skin Renewal and Miss Earth South Africa have a partnership that embodies greening and the care of both people and planet. It is corporates like this that not only talk the talk but walk the walk, in greening and creating self-sufficient communities.
Miss Earth SA is always looking for support and partnerships to continue working in communities like Kliptown, if you are able to support these initiatives; please contact them on 082 5050 664 or email admin@MissEarthSA.co.za
“Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we can’t remember who we are or why we’re here.”- Sue Monk Kidd
A few years ago I stumbled upon sayitforward.org – a platform empowering women through storytelling – and today I’m profiling the platform because the work they do truly makes a difference
SayItForward.org -Empowering Women Through Storytelling
Say It Forward envisions a world where every woman and every girl recognizes and claims the power of her voice, her story, her rights and her ability to achieve her biggest, boldest dreams despite the obstacles she may face.
Through the power of storytelling, Say It Forward celebrates the strength, determination and triumphs of girls and women on their path to empowerment.
They hope these stories will also inspire engagement with organizations that support the empowerment of women & girls in communities everywhere.
With Dr. Esther Nyambura and Sibusisiwe Yona from Smile Train
“A simple smile. That’s the start of opening your heart and being compassionate to others.”– Dalai Lama
Today, on World Smile Day I honour everyone at Smile Train working tirelessly to provide free cleft surgery to those in need. Susannah Schaefer and Esther Nyambura you are remarkable leaders. I’m proud to be an ambassador for your organization.
Every day, 540 babies are born with #cleft, a birth difference that causes difficulties in eating, breathing, hearing, and speaking. To make sure that no child is left behind, Smile Train will focus on the needs of #540Today to ensure millions of smiles tomorrow! Support http://smiletrain.org
Yaseen in conversation with ENCA’s Lindokuhle Xulu
Yaseen Theba is the Director of Vision Group – Vision Tactical and Vision Branding – Co-Founder of Operation SA and Chairman of the Muslim Association of South Africa.
The Muslim Association of South Africa, led by Yaseen Theba, is currently feeding people in need of food due to the COVID19 Lockdown.
Yaseen is the kind of human we all should be and the kind of person I aspire to be because he does the right thing simply because it’s right thing to do.
Donate to helpthe Muslim Association of South Africa feed South Africa
Muslim Association of South Africa LILLAH ACCOUNT First National Bank (FNB) Account Number: 62779526725 Branch Code is: 253305 Swift Code: FIRNZAJJXXX Ref: (Donor Name)
The above post was shared as part of my new weekly Difference Makers series featuring individuals, businesses or NPOs making a difference
Executive Vice Chair, President & Chief Executive Officer, Smile Train
Susannah Schaefer is Executive Vice Chair, President & Chief Executive Officer of Smile Train, an international organization focused on empowering local medical professionals to provide free cleft lip and/or palate surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally.
Susannah joined Smile Train in February 2013, after serving as a member of the organization’s Board for over ten years. In her role as CEO, she leads Smile Train’s vision to expand access to healthcare and increase local capacity in countries in which Smile Train helps children. During her time as CEO, Susannah led an organizational rebrand, seeded funding for hundreds of thousands of new smiles, expanded cleft surgical training and education programs throughout the world and helped to establish organizational partnerships in Haiti and Rwanda. In addition, Susannah led the team in developing Smile Train’s ground-breaking Virtual Surgery Simulator, further accelerating cleft surgical training and enhancing the organization’s “teach a man to fish” model.
Susannah came to Smile Train after almost twenty years in operational roles, bringing a vast network and past experiences to the team. Previously, Susannah served as Vice President, Director of International Marketing at CA Technologies, where she led implementation of the company’s international marketing strategies. Earlier in her career, Susannah was the Director of Marketing, Asia for CA Technologies, where she built the organization’s presence throughout the region and hosted the first regional CA World conference in China.
Susannah is a Trustee of The Smile Train UK and serves on the Board of Directors of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from the State University of New York College at Oswego.
“My son, you will form an organisation. The name will be Waqful Waqifin, and that name is translated into ‘Gift of the Givers’. You will serve all people of all races, of all religions, of all colours, of all classes, of all political affiliations and of any geographical location. You will serve them unconditionally.”
– Sufi Sheikh Muhammed Saffer Effendi al Jerrahi
… After receiving this message from his spiritual leader in Istanbul, Turkey, at the age of just 30, Gift of the Givers founder, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, immediately heeded the calling… and continues to do so to this day.
Following that life-changing day in 1992, Dr Sooliman returned to South Africa, left a flourishing career as a medical doctor and established the Gift of the Givers Foundation.
In the intervening years, he has travelled to some of the most desolate, war-torn and disaster-struck areas of the world, heading relief missions. Through his work with Gift of the Givers, he and his teams have responded to the needs of countless people affected by a wide range of natural and man-made disasters, such as floods, famine, tsunamis, earthquakes and wars.
He has facilitated the establishment of hospitals, run clinics, created agricultural schemes, dug wells, built houses, developed and manufactured an energy food, renovated fishing boats, offered scholarships and provided food and shelter to millions.
The transition from doctor to humanitarian was both seamless and simple.
He is driven by the same basic principles that led to his becoming a medical doctor: respect, care, professionalism and dedication. But there is something else that fuels Dr Sooliman’s passion for humanitarianism – the solid belief in the common humanity that unites us. His fervour for, and belief in, mankind is what really motivates and energises him, and the reason is his faith.
His sense of community is felt throughout his endeavours with Gift of the Givers.
When disaster strikes or pleas for assistance are sounded – whether in South Africa or abroad – he and Gift of the Givers are ready with an immediate response, swiftly rallying the organisation’s network of doctors, nurses, relief workers and other professionals, and despatching humanitarian and medical supplies to disaster areas.
Gift of The Givers
Overview
The Gift of the Givers Foundation is the largest disaster response, non-governmental organisation of African origin on the African continent.
It works to unite people, with a common vision, to make a real and telling difference by serving mankind for the ‘Greater Good’ .
Assistance is provided unconditionally; assisting the needy, irrespective of human or animal, race, religion, colour, class, political affiliation of geographic location.
Since its inception in 1992, the organisation has been responsible for the delivery of life-saving goods and on-the-ground support for innumerable people, collectively valued at some R2.8 billion, in more than 43 countries across the globe, including South Africa.
Gift of the Givers restores the hope and dignity of the most vulnerable in their time of need, rebuilding prosperous communities and empowering leaders of tomorrow.
[Note: All the above text is from The Gift of the Givers website]
