Sesego Cares donates R10 000 Cheque
Sesego Cares donate a R 10 000 Cheque to the Edith Benson Home
Sesego Cares donate a R10 000 Cheque to Tshega
Sešego Cares teams up with partners to launch the Aid Centre
Sešego Cares Golf Day - 10 June 2010
Sesego Cares donated R50 000 to Helping Hand
Clean and safe drinking water now a reality for the Leribe Village, Lesotho
Sešego Cares makes mobility possible
Sešego Cares and partners give R110 000 Hope to a pre-school in Red Location, P.E
Early Child Development Graduation
Sunrise Pre School inauguration
Rotary Club partnership
Early Child Development
Njabulo Children's Home get a boost
Cocktail Auction raised R219000
Community day
Everton Football Club coach Tembisa School kids
Woolworths and Sešego Cares Joint Venture
Sešego Cares Golf Day to give mobility to thousands
CE Fun day
Sešego Cares donates Books
2008 Golf Day
Little Rainbow crèche benefits from Sešego Cares compassion
Wheelchairs Project
Success Story-Wheelchairs Project
Benches donated by Sešego Cares
Thank you Letter from Guild Cottage.
Donation of 191 Crutches to Eventide Vaal Old Age Home
Hanna Hopkins received toiletry bags
2009 Annual Golf Day auction raises R300,000
Books Donation
School shoes hand over
Wine Auction
2009 Absa National Choir Festival
Awards - Joanne Von Zeuner receives a Merit Award on behalf of Sešego Cares by Rotary of Northcliff for "Service Above Self" to the community.
Celebration of one year partnership with Woolworths
Matla A Bana is an NGO assisting police officers, doctors and social workers to deal with child abuse victims who report crimes against them. This NGO works mainly in Gauteng and the Western Cape and reach more than 5000 children a year. This NGO was found by ex-hostage, Monique Strydom, after the severe rapes of Babies Leratho and Tsepang in 2002. This NGO recently opened a child-friendly reporting facility at the Cape Town Child Protection Unit, to be ready for the Soccer World Cup. Jos did not only raise funds for this South African charity, but managed to secure donations of school uniforms and support for an orphanage in Arusha, Tanzania - whilst he was cycling! By the last week of his journey he was R10 000 short of his target. Sesego Cares, the charity leg of Absa, heard about this and came to his rescue and donated the shortfall. During the hand over of the cheques, the manager of the Table Bay Hotel, Shaun Tregoning , gave Jos an accommodation voucher to the value of R12000. He correctly said that such a great effort should not go un-awarded! It was an adventure that Jos will definitely not undertake again, but he hopes to be helping another worthy cause soon!
Caption: Gail Henry (Sesego Cares), Jos Malherbe, Monique Strydom, Shaun Trengoning
On Friday, June 1st, Sesego Cares members of the KZN committee went to the Edith Benson Home, a residential facility of Child Welfare-- Durban and District, to officially hand over the R10 000 donated from Sesego National.
Letter from CHILD WELFARE Durban and District
On behalf of CHILD WELFARE Durban and District, we thank Sesego Cares for generosity and considering in our request to adopt our Organisation as part of your corporate social investment programme. This will most certainly assist us a great deal in meeting the needs of our children. Sadly, many of the thousands of children to whomCHILD WELFARE Durban and District renders service experience the greatest poverty. Fortunately the lives of all who pass through the hands of our dedicated Social Workers and Child Care Workers are positively impacted. We are grateful to have the opportunity to impact the lives of the most vulnerable in our country, something that we would not be able to do without the generosity and caring support of our many funding partners.
Tshega Christian Missions was established in 2004 in Mopani district - Limpopo Province
Four individuals saw the need of the local people in the Mopani District in the Limpopo Province.
Educational needs
Chairs, tables;
Building material for new school;
Computers;
School bus for transport, sport activities and excursions
Needs for outreach programme
Clothes and food;
Proper shelter/accommodation/houses;
Equipment for youth activities.
Today's official launch of the Aid Centre by Sešego Cares and its partners, marks another milestone in our endeavour to alleviate the plight of the Disabled people.
Sešego Cares believes that disability should not be a hindrance but a stepping stone to encourage people to reach majestic heights of self fulfillment. As a result, their partnership with its key strategic partners; The Robert and Claire Peter Foundation, Absa, AFGO Workshop, Johnson Controls and The Rotary Club of Northcliff will certainly go a long way towards raising awareness, aiding the disabled and changing the attitudes of our society about the disabled.
Caption left: The Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Ms Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya who gave a key note address at the launch
Caption right: Venete Klein, Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer; Joanne von Zeuner, Chairperson of Sešego Cares and Minister Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya, Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities.
The Annual Sešego Cares Golf Day was once again a huge success. Held at The Randpark Golf Course on Thursday, 10 June 2010, the cold weather failed to deter golfers as they showcased their golfing skills in support of the various charities supported by Sešego Cares.
The Golf Day is an initiative by Sešego Cares to generate funds to help disadvantaged communities and individuals in Southern Africa. Since inception in 2005, Sešego Cares through its partners, friends, and donors has raised approximately R3 million financial and R5 million in-kind support which has been utilised to change the lives of over 4,000 people. Of note are the flagship projects that involve the provision of clean drinking water, early childhood training for practitioners, donation of over 3500 wheelchairs to disabled people, construction of houses for poor families, donation of books, educational items and stationery etc. Last year's fundraising initiative, saw a total of R230 000 raised of which R150 000 went towards the Wheelchair Project led by the project convenor Dennis Steward, from the Rotary Club of Northcliff.
This year's fundraising initiative, saw a total of R360 000 raised.
After this year's warming camaraderie on the golf course, the golfers attended the prize-giving dinner hosted by Willie Lategan, CEO of Absa Financial Services.
Joanne von Zeuner, Chairperson of Sešego Cares, opened the evening's proceedings by welcoming the guests and expressed her gratitude to the various sponsors and participants who made the day possible, by coming out in their numbers to show their commitment to the plight of people in need within Southern Africa.
Furthermore Lategan reiterated the words of Joanne by adding that: "A key development in carrying out its noble mission, was the establishment of a partnership by Sešego Cares with the Robert and Clair Peter Foundation", a charitable organisation based in Baltimore, USA which will receive and distribute consignments of specialised equipment for the disabled. These consignments will be sorted and distributed from the Sešego Cares Aid Distribution Centre in Johannesburg with the support of Absa, Johnson Controls, Afgo Workshop and the Rotary Club of Northcliff.
Sešego Cares would like to thank their main sponsors Fidelity Security Service and Absa Bank, all other sponsors and supporters, its staff, partners and stakeholders, for their invaluable support which has helped Sešego Cares become an efficient conduit for rendering both financial and non-financial support to thousands of vulnerable people in our country and the SADC region.
Beneficiaries received donations for Sesego Cares.
Beneficiary Gauteng East Choir - Joey Govindasami accepted a cheque of R25 000 on behalf of the Absa East Rand Internal Choir, in support of Se?ego Cares fundraising efforts for their trip to Baltimore, United States in November 2010 where they have been invited to perform.
Beneficiary Rotary Club of Northcliff - received a cheque for R 100 000 toward the partnership between Rotary and Se?ego Cares. Many individuals and communities have benefitted from their donation of books, wheelchairs, food, clean drinking water initiatives, beds, blankets, jerseys, clothes and various other items over many years.
Beneficiary Sesego Cares Aid Centre - received a cheque for R200 000 towards their partnership with the Robert and Claire Peter Foundation, a Baltimore USA based Trust which collects and distributes specialised medical equipment and other goods to vulnerable persons within Southern Africa.
Caption left: Annemarie Mostert (Director Sešego Cares), Judith Chinkumbi (Secretary Sešego Cares), Willie Lategan (Absa CEO of Absa Financial Services), Joanne von Zeuner (Chairperson Sešego Cares) Gavin Opperman (CEO of Absa Retail Banking), Valerie Sebastian(Robert & Claire Peter Foundation), Paul Westcott (Rotary Club President Northcliff, John Turner(Rotary President Elect) Faizal Ismael (Johnson Controls)Sešego Cares Golf Day
Sešego Cares in Gauteng Region in partnership with Absa donated more than 100 jerseys to disadvantage children in Johannesburg Region. The jerseys are knitted by Iris. Iris learnt about Sešego Cares on a newspaper, she then contacted Sešego Cares to get involved. Iris has knitted more than 12000 jerseys since entering retirement. Over the past ten years, Iris has walked house to house collecting wool. This will be no longer be necessary after Joey Govindasami promised Iris a constant supply of wool from Gauteng Absa staff members. To date Absa staff have raised 232 bales. On 10 May Gavin Opperman handed the jerseys donated and knitted by Iris to Bara's Community project in Soweto.
Caption 1: Lulu Mzili, Gavin Opprman (CEO Absa Retail banking) and Stanton Govender (Regional Manager Absa South Region)
Caption2: Joey Govindasami, Iris and Nico Goosen.
Helping Hand functions within the Solidarity movement, but stands as an independent Section 21 company that generates its own funds. Helping Hand operates an Afrikaans Bursary Institute, a Career Guidance Institute, and an Institute for Communities that Care. The organisation drives upliftment projects for communities in need and mainly focuses on five large projects, namely: National School-case Project, National Lunchbox Project, career guidance and community bursaries, National Day for Taking a Child's Hand, and job creation.
Helping Hand has set up a Crime Relief Fund to assist an 11-year-old girl who was raped during a farm attack in North West in February. Following the attack, the family was informed by a religious welfare organisation that no funds were available to send the girl for specialised trauma counselling. In order to provide aid to the girl and her family, as well as to similar victims of crime that do not receive help from welfare organisations, Helping Hand decided to establish a Crime Relief Fund. This fund will enable victims of crime, such as the grade 6 girl and her family, to get immediate access to specialist help.
Helping Hand is in the process of appointing social workers to address this need. To appoint one social worker will cost R240 000 per year. The R50 000 donated by Sesego Cares will be spent to help children such as this 11-year-old girl and similar victims of crime that do not receive help from other organisations.
Caption: (from left to right): Annemarie Mostert, Joanne van Zeuner, Johan Jacobs (Helping Hand), Dinah Theron (HH) en SW Calitz (HH).
Statistics state that more than 1 in 6 people in the world don't have access to safe drinking water. That's almost a billion people on the planet.
With unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation said to be the cause of 80&percent; of all sickness and disease, and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. This indeed is a sour pill to swallow.
Many people in the developing nations, usually women and children, often have to walk more than three hours every day to fetch water that is likely to make them sick and the Leribe District situated in a remote village on the mountains of Lesotho is no exception.
Of the 42,000 deaths that occur every week from unsafe water and a lack of basic sanitation, 90&percent; are children under 5 years old.
With such hair-raising statistics, through its partnership with The Rotary club of Ficksburg, Sešego Cares was able to identify the Leribe villagers to be ideal beneficiaries to the installation of a local borehole that is to be fully functional and handed over in Lesotho on 22 March 2010.
In commemoration of Human Rights Day, the Rotary Club of Northcliff and Rushmoor celebrated their great 11 year partnership with a gala event at Randclub in Johannesburg on Saturday, 20th March 2010, where the handover of the 20 000th wheelchair was witnessed by the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Ms Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya N.
Various wheelchairs hand-over events were also arranged in Soweto and Eldorado park on Friday,19 March 2009. Seven members and two wives from the Rotary Club of Rushmoor in United Kingdom travelled to South Africa to be part of the celebrations.
Through its partnership with the Rotary Club Northcliff, Sešego Cares was able to reach over 3000 disabled people over the past 3 years throughout Southern Africa, helping them to become happily mobile beneficiaries, who can now be able to be integrated into society. Used wheelchairs are collected and shipped by the Rotary Club of Rushmoor in United Kingdom to Northcliff. At AFGO workshop, these are repaired by Rotarians and then donated to the identified beneficiaries in Southern Region. Sešego Cares has donated R325 000 to date to this partnership.
It is a sad fact that there is a tremendous need of wheelchairs in Southern Africa and this is particularly true within our previously disadvantaged population.
Beneficiaries were reached in many cities and towns ranging from Cape Town, Richards Bay, White River, Naboomspruit, Port Elizabeth, Umtata and even across our borders to villages such as Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and Zambia.
But wheelchairs are not the only commodities distributed, many other ancillary items have been received and dispersed; hundreds of crutches, walking aids and the like, of which one very important aspect of the project is that all items are donated at no cost whatsoever to the end user.
Joanne Von Zeuner, Sešego Cares Chairman added that: "The dignity of the less able should be respected by all, especially by their more able-bodied counterparts. In reality, the situation is quite different. There are far too many disabled people within the poorer, unemployed sectors of the community who do not have a basic human right, namely mobility. The 20 000th wheelchairs will make this (mobility) possible to such individuals. Let us go on building the bonds of friendship and Ubuntu through cooperation and mutual respect".
On the 1st of March 2010, Sešego Cares chairperson, Joanne von Zeuner, presented a bakkie to a pre-school in the Red Location, Port Elizabeth. Sešego Cares and its partners donated R110 000 towards the purchase and maintenance of a vehicle at the request of Brighter Futures, an NGO which raises funds and invests in educating and nourishing deprived South African children.
Brighter Futures South Africa has been supporting the Pre-School for 6 years and they cover the majority of their running costs. The school supports about 90 underprivileged children with daily meals and education. In addition the school is developing into a broader community centre with a soup kitchen where skills such as sewing and weaving are taught.
Through the assistance of the Sešego Cares and its partners; Absa Vehicle & Asset Finance, CMH Toyota Melrose, PE AUTOLOT, Motorvia Johannesburg, Motorite Warranty administrators and Absa Financial Services, this donation was made possible.
The new vehicle will assist the school to collect donations from the local shops and companies for the soup kitchen. This donation will at least see that the kitchen remains open to feed the numerous children and community members that already depend on it.
Joanne von Zeuner said that, "Greatness is measured in terms of service. The work that is done here by Brighter Futures is truly amazing and humbling, I am just so glad that Sešego Cares could assist. I would like to congratulate them on their new vehicle, and wish that through this vehicle of brightness, their future will be blessed."
Sešego Cares hosted a graduation ceremony for Early Child Development practitioners in Absa Campus on 06 February 2010. The graduation ceremony was attended by more than 400 hundreds practitioners, COJ, Absa and Sešego Cares representatives. The excitement and the atmosphere was incredible.
In October last year, Sešego Cares in partnership with Absa and Joburg City conducted training in the Joburg City region. The purpose of this joint initiative is to uplift crèches to meet the basic health requirements, get registered and become independent. Once crèches are registered they can get monthly grants from City of Joburg for a year, when that period elapse they have to find means to generate funds.
Joanne Von Zeuner, Sešego Cares had the following to say: Early Childhood Development is a critical first step in building the foundation for a child's ongoing learning and development. The focus is on the holistic development of the child and how the processes of learning are facilitated by children, parents, caregivers and teachers. Knowledge of early childhood development is foundational to anyone who chooses to broaden their knowledge of educational practices with young children. It is key for those wanting to work with children in an early education setting.
It is for this reason that we as Sešego Cares heeded the call by the City of Johannesburg to partner with them in ensuring that our 500 graduates are properly trained in carrying out one of the most important role in every child's phase.
Absa home Loans Central Region held an inauguration ceremony on 22 January at Sunrise Pre School in Freedom Square. The school forms part of one of the volunteerism project that Absa employees have undertaken as part of their Corporate Social Investment initiatives. Encouraging Absa employees to participate in volunteerism is high on the Absa agenda and various projects are undertaken nationally to support various communities through various initiatives.
Sunrise Pre School was identified in February 2008 by Child Welfare Bloemfontein and introduced to Absa. The infrastructure needed immediate attention and Absa Home loans Central region grabbed this opportunity to better the lives of these children. The school provides day care to more than a 100 children with ages ranging from 6 months up to 5 years.
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In 2008 the team upgraded the 3 classrooms and also raised funds to buy essential items needed for the school including tables and chairs, build new bathrooms & toilets, build a new roof and layed a tiled floor.
In 2009 the Absa staff build another 3 classroom with additional funding provided by Sešego Cares. Sešego Cares is a South African registered Section 21 Company that was established in 2005 by the spouses of Absa and has taken up the challenge to collectively involve themselves in social upliftment projects to make a difference to those less fortunate across all Southern African communities.
Absa Home loans volunteered their time over the weekends to finish this project. They also did fundraising projects by means of a golf days and sold food to Absa staff to fund the project. Partnerships and relationships with Absa clients also helped to fund and support the project.
The community has gained a properly built crèche with adequate space that offers a safe and nurturing environment for the children to learn and develop. The team's spirit has strengthened and each member has gained a sense of pride and self worth by making a difference to somebody else's life.
"The community now has gained a school with adequate space that offers a safe and nurturing environment for the children to learn and develop and will now be able to serve the community for many years to come." Says Joanne von Zeuner Chairperson of Sešego Cares.
The new and improved school will serve the community for many years to come. The community can now be sure that their children are given the chance to enjoy their childhood that they are entitled to.
Over the last fifteen years the Rotary Club of Northcliff and Rotary Club Rushmoor in the United Kingdom have collaborated in sourcing over 20,000 used wheelchairs, shipping them to South Africa and distributing them free of charge to beneficiaries who are unable to buy a wheelchair. In partnership with the Rotary Club of Northcliff, Sešego Cares has donated over 3,000 wheelchairs over the past 3 years.
This great partnership will hopefully assist many more needy citizens in our community to become mobile. The Rotary Club of Northcliff is organising a celebratory dinner to mark the arrival of the 20 000th wheelchair. This celebration will be held on Saturday, 20 March 2010 in Rand Club.
The wheelchair project is changing the lives of disabled individuals. One of our success stories for 2010 is Seegoban Bisnath Singh.
From Kwazulu-Natal in Umkhomazi. He was transported around in a wheelbarrow for a long time. He could not afford a wheelchair. Devan Pillay (Chairman ABSA Disability Forum KZN) was contacted by Maya (concerned community member) about Seegoban Bisnath Singh's living conditions and his desire to get a wheelchair. Sešego Cares was very happy to assist with this donation.
Sešego Cares, Absa and City of Joburg have formed partnership to empower crèches, they are conducting workshops in the Joburg city Region. The purpose is to uplift crèches to meet the basic health requirements, get registered and become independent. Once crèches are registered they can get monthly grants from City of Joburg for a year, when that period elapse they have to find means to generate funds. This project headed by Wendy Klein, Raakhee Sighn, Tertia de Klerk, Nico Goosen and Annemarie Mostert. The ECD workshop offers modules that covers all relevant aspect. Workshops have been conducted in the following areas:
Klipfontein: 40 practitioners attended. Westbury/TDC :44 practitioners attended. Bram Fischerville: 49 practitioners attended. Lenasia: 62 practitioners attended. ABSA Towers: 149 practitioners attended. SOWETO: 254 practitioners benefitted from the workshop.
(Photo: practitioners at Absa Auditorium)
Njabulo Children's home has been in operation since July 2008. Currently there are 12 school going children ranging from grade 3-10. The home has live in house parents, an overseer and a helper to monitor the proper functioning of the home. The children are guided by a timetable which includes chores, prayer time, supervised homework times, outdoor play, meal times and recreation. They enjoy three balanced meals and they are exposed to other stimulation programmes to enhance proper development. The home is funded by sponsors and donors, either through cash or by goods donations.
Sešego Cares has been supporting Njabulo's Children Home since January. We donated groceries, toiletry bags, furniture and help them to start a vegetable garden. Claire Russon and Tertia de Clerk, Sešego Cares directors have volunteered their time to offer support to the kids at Njabulo by assisting with their homework, setting up formal counselling sessions, as well as arranging activities such as ice skating and a trip to the Johannesburg Zoo. Sešego Cares has recently donated R30 000 to provide a fence around the Njabulo Children's home in order to secure the home. After a recent visit by the Management of Absa's Rewards Programme, it was also agreed by both parties to work closely together during 2010 in making a difference to the needs of the kids.
On the 5th December, Sešego Cares surprised the kids with a Christmas party.
Sešego Cares hosted a cocktail auction in Sandston at Absa Capital on 12 November from 6pm-9pm. The guests were welcomed by Absa Group chief Executive Maria Ramos. The following items were auctioned: (1) flights and accommodation to London. (2 )Signed national teams sport jerseys. (3) Jewellery. (4) weekend away at Sibuya Game Camp. (5) Accommodation at 15 on Orange with flights and car hire. (6) Two FIFA world Cup suite tickets for the opening game. (7)Artwork by Walter Mathebula. (8) Dinner at Val de Vie Estate for 10. (9) A dinner which includes décor, food and organisation for 30 at you own house. Absa Group Chief Executive Maria Ramos was announced as the Sešego Cares patron. Sešego Cares is getting bigger and better!
(Photo: Absa Chief Executive Maria Ramos and Sešego Cares Chairman Joanne von Zeuner holds Ramos' My School Card. My School cards will ensure a sustainable income for Sešego Cares when card holders swipe it at Woolworth stores.)
Sešego Cares built two houses in Orange Farm as part of MAD programme. The 100 houses were built by volunteers from Absa and skilled labourers, between 19 October and 23 October. Each house needed 20 volunteers, a NHBRC certified builder and a team leader. The volunteers normally took on the non-skill required tasks such as mixing cement, carrying bricks, erecting scaffolding and pushing wheel barrows amongst others. The structures of the houses were completed on time as scheduled. Plumbing and electricity wiring were completed at a later stage. The hand over took place on Friday 23 October 2009 at Drieziek Extension 5. The Deputy Minister of Human Settlements, Mrs Z Kota-Fredericks, Absa Group CE Maria Ramos, Joburg city Mayor, Amos Masondo and City of Johannesburg MMC Housing Strike Ralegoma officialy handed over the 100 keys to the selected beneficiaries.
(Photo from left to right: Judith Chinkumbi, Mihloti Mathye, Charlotte Rahlaga at the back and Annemarie Mostert)
This coming Thursday 29th November Everton are set to coach children from Allanridge Combined School in Tembisa Township with the assistance of School Aid, Absa Capital and Sešego Cares.
Representatives from the UK Premier League club will jet in to South Africa for the Annual Soccerex Exhibition to be held in Johannesburg this year.
Everton Academy Coach, Tony Farrell, has been selected to speak with a panel of other high profile guests to include Graham Taylor (ex-England Manager) and Phil Thompson (ex-Liverpool Player and Caretaker Manager).
Discussions will include a debate on the importance of a scout's role within a football club and Mr Farrell will be keen to talk about the Everton Way coaching methods, which are now revealed on Evertonway.com.
But when the exhibition ends, Everton will stay another day to deliver a one-off coaching session in the Gauteng area arranged by School Aid and supported by Absa Capital and Sešego Cares. Everton are renowned for the amazing work they do in enhancing lives in their local community in the UK and having this opportunity offered to them by School Aid, Absa Capital and Sešego Cares means that they can broaden their reach to an international audience.
Mr Farrell will run coaching sessions for over 60 children at Allanridge Combined School in Tembisa Township, Midrand with many more children from the school spectating. Sešego Cares are further complimenting the coaching sessions having facilitated the attendance of Thulani Lukhele, Tsietsi Mkhwanazi and Thulani Maseko. The children can expect a minimum of 3 coaching sessions, combined with a personal video message from South African International and Everton player, Steven Pienaar, who was also keen to support the venture.
Tony Farrell said: "It's fantastic to come to Tembisa and coach. Everton are committed to football development across the globe and that is what the Everton Way is all about. "I just hope the kids gain a lot from the sessions and look forward to playing lots of football in the future."
School-Aid is a UK based charity that collects new and second-hand educational resources (books, stationery, sports equipment etc) for distribution in developing countries. School-Aid volunteers in Johannesburg saw this as an ideal opportunity to bring support from a Premier League club like Everton.
Sešego Cares, an Absa spouses and partner volunteer programme registered as a separate section 21 Company, has agreed to partner School Aid and Absa Capital in reaching out to Tembisa. The members of Sešego Cares were very happy to supply the additional support including the facilitation of Orlando Pirates Football Club first team players to the Everton Coaching Day to ensure the kids receive maximum benefit from the sessions.
Theresa Booysen, Chairperson of Sešego Cares said "We are delighted to assist in this unique opportunity and hope it will inspires the pupils"
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Everton FC Attending Soccerex
International Development Manager, David Cook. Tel +44 (0)7946 589 828 e-mail: david.cook@evertonfc.com
Head of International Football Development, Tony Farrell. Tel +44 (0) 777 160 6788
School Aid Representatives in Johannesburg:
Rachel Roullier Tel 082 312 6824 e-mail: rachelroullier@mailbox.co.za
Anna Thompson Tel 083 665 6348 e-mail: an_span@hotmail.com
National coordinator of Sešego Cares:
Annemarie Mostert Tel: (011) 350 5647 e-mail: annemariem@absa.co.za
A year ago, Absa Group entered into an agreement with Woolworths to acquire 50&percent; plus one share of the share capital of Woolworths Financial Services (WFS), the financial services business of Woolworths.
Adding business value
This transaction led to the establishment of a joint venture which could leverage the combination of Woolworths' distribution channels and significant customer base, and Absa's funding, credit risk, customer value management and product marketing capabilities.
Today we celebrate the 1st anniversary of this deal and I am proud to say that this joint venture has delivered great benefits, despite more trying economic conditions. Not only did WFS bring an acceptable financial performance to the table, it has grown its customer base by more than 100 000. Absa's know-how in credit risk management has also added great value by ensuring a better quality book and acceptable levels of impairments.
From a customer perspective we've seen the launch of a new WFS brand in stores, a variety of innovative customer campaigns and the enhancement of Travel Insurance cover in partnership with Absa. Further to this, exciting plans are underway to deliver improved offerings in 2010.
I want to thank both the WFS and Absa integration teams for their commitment to this journey. Please join us for next week's Absa Today broadcast (Wednesday, 7 October at 08:00) when Sam Ngumeni, CEO of WFS and Doug Walker will share more about the benefits of combining 'the mind of a bank with the heart of a retailer'.
I remain confident that the unique combination of the expertise of two of South Africa's most powerful brands will enable WFS to become the leading retail based financial services company in Southern Africa.
Contributing to our communities
More good news is that through the WFS deal, we have also built a stronger relationship with Woolworths, and as a result our Sešego Cares community programme can now benefit from the MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet initiative.
As many of you know, Sesego Cares - an initiative spearheaded by the spouses of the Absa executives, aims to make a difference in the upliftment of less fortunate communities in Southern Africa.
Now you can also contribute to the Sešego Cares initiative by applying for your MySchool MyVillage MyPlant card. When buying at Woolworths and other listed retail stores such as Toys R Us, a percentage of the value of your transactions will be donated to Sešego Cares at no cost to you.
The annual Sešego Cares golf day took place in Ranpark golf course on 25 June 2009. Members and friends of Sešego Cares use proceeds from the Golf Day to generate funds to help disadvantaged communities and individuals in Southern Africa. This year friends and members of Sešego Cares with the support of its sponsors and partners managed to raise R210 000. Absa executives Happy Ntshingila, Mohale Ralebitso and Peter Mageza were among the eager players pledging their support to Sešego Cares by taking part in the various four balls. After a well played round, all the golfers settled down to a warm dinner and entertainment by Zamar, for the prize giving. Joanne von Zeuner, Chairperson of Sešego Cares, opened the proceedings with a short welcoming and shared a few words of gratitude for the various sponsors and participants who made it all possible, further adding that it showed true commitment to the plight of people in need. She continued by saying, "Your participation and your presence here today is evidence of our common belief by joining hands, together we can try to reduce some of the issues facing our communities."
The event was attended by Absa Group Chief Executive Officer, Maria Ramos. She had the following to say, "In a developing society such as ours, it is critically important for each and every one of us to take up our personal responsibility for contributing to a brighter future for all South Africans. I am proud to associate myself and Absa with the great work that Sešego Cares does, and I have great admiration for the journey which the directors and friends of Sešego Cares have embarked on."
Sešego Cares presented a cheque of R 150 000 to the wheelchair project of the Rotary Club of Northcliff, during the annual fundraising golf day. Dennis Steward, convenor of the wheelchair project of Rotary Club of Northcliff, was filled with appreciation when expressing the importance of partnerships. He added that "The Rotary Club of Northcliff values the partnership which they have with 'Sesego Cares', who not only provide significant financial assistance but who also augment the efforts of Rotary Clubs throughout South Africa in distributing wheelchairs to needy, disabled fellow South Africans."
The units are procured in the United Kingdom by the Rotary Club of Rushmoor and sent by sea to Johannesburg where they are cleaned, repaired and are distributed from a depot in Selby. Wheelchairs have gone out to many cities, towns and villages including such diverse places as Cape Town, Richards Bay, White River, Naboomspruit, Port Elizabeth and Umtata. "In addition to wheelchairs, many other ancillary items have been received and distributed, such as hundreds of crutches, walking aids and the like. One very important aspect of the project is that the wheelchairs and ancillary items are donated at no cost whatsoever to the end user. To date some 18 000 wheelchairs have been distributed in this way and with the assistance of 'Sesego Cares' it is hoped to reach a target of 20 000 units in the not too distant future" said Steward
Sešego Cares is an Absa spouses and partners' voluntary non-profit organisation in aid of disadvantaged communities in Southern Africa. To learn more about Sešego Cares, visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sesego-Cares/23042984882 or Absa intranet.
As part of the Absa Group CE' initiative Sešego Cares will be building a house for family in the Stretford Community, in Orange Farm on the 9th October. In partnership with Habitat for Humanity Absa will be building 19 houses for the community.
Stretford Community is situated in the far south of Johannesburg, about 55km from the CBD areas. The main aim of this project is to provide shelter for the old aged, to people with disabilities and also to promote sustainable community development in terms of building houses and utilizing local labour to generate income.
The specific needs identified are as follows:
The key role players:
The key features of the project that make it unique are:
Absa Executives as well as the directors and friends of Sesego Cares will be rolling up their sleeves, and getting down and dirty to build homes for the disadvantaged.
The executive mayor of Ehlazeni District Municipality in Mpumalanga, Cllr Khosi Mkhonto is a woman who keeps her word. Before departing on a recent trip to Brazil, she visited Phatfwa Secondary School to fulfill her promise of filling its library with books. Mkhonto solicited the help of Sesego Cares, Absa's social investment entity. The school received thirty large boxes filled with books. Mkhonto said, "I hope the relationship I initiated between the school and Sesego Cares will be sustained for the benefit of the learners." The school principal, Mr Philip Masuku expressed sincere gratitude on behalf of the learners and educators and requested Sesego Cares to keep on supporting the school. Sesego Cares was approached by Petunia on behalf of the mayor requesting books for Phatfwa Secondary School. Sesego Cares responded positively and approached Rotary International. Rotary International has a book centre in Bedfordview. Sesego Cares has formed a partnership with Rotary International to collect books and donate it to schools, libraries, non profit organization etc. The books are not new, however in good condition.
Sesego Cares organised and hosted its first ever Golf Day on the 3rd of April 2008. The event was held at the Randpark and Windsor golf courses. The aim was to raise funds and the event was very successful. Golf players arrived in numbers to support Sesego Cares. Sesego Cares made R330000. The money was used to fund wheelchairs projects and other community projects. High profile people like Mark Fish (former Bafana Bafana and Pirates player), Bantu Holomisa, (UDM leader) and Happy Ntshingila (Absa Exco member) came to support Sesego Cares. KPMG was the main sponsor of the event. Due to the success of last year's event, Sesego Cares decided that the Golf Day will take place on an annual basis.
The community in Eldorado Park is filled with celebration and jubilation as the children at Little Rainbow crèche experienced a warm and joyous Easter holiday this year. Sesego Cares delivered cereal, mealie meal, Easter eggs and winter beanies and knitted jerseys. This donation was facilitated by Sesego Cares and made possible by the members of the Rotary Club of Northcliff.
Annemarie Mostert, Sesego Cares Director had the following to say, "It is a crucial area for action and where possible we are happy to support our fellow neighbours to combat poverty. The spouses of Absa employees as volunteers make a huge difference in the lives of young people."
Sesego Cares have partnered with Rotary Club Northcliff and Rotary Club of Rushmoor based in the United Kingdom. Used wheelchairs are collected and shipped to South Africa, where they are repaired and donated to individuals in need. This initiative was prompted by the high demand of wheelchairs from the impoverished sections of the Southern African society. It is a sad fact that there is tremendous need of wheelchairs in South Africa and this is particularly true within our previously disadvantaged indigenous population. There are far too many disabled people within the poorer, unemployed sectors of the community who do not have a basic human right, namely mobility.
This partnership has benefited over 1200 disabled throughout Southern Africa so far. One of the beneficiaries of the Sesego Cares Golf Day 2009 will again be this project.
July 30th 2008 was a day Sesego Cares changed the life of 21 year-old Bulelani Kobe of Butterworth. Kobe was born with a congenital deformity. He has no legs and only short stumps for arms - he has never had the use of any limbs and he does not let that hinder his spirit and determination.
Kobe has spent the past seven years applying for funding and sponsorship as to afford the motorised wheelchair. But when Sesego Cares heard of his plight, they felt it was necessary to do something to improve the quality of Kobe's life. Marjorie Jacobson, 94 years old, came to the rescue. Sesego Cares surprised Kobe with the motorised wheelchair on his 21st birthday.
"This has changed my life, I really don't know what to say to Absa's spouses but I thank God for the freedom I now have. With this new chair I can actually move myself around and not rely on anyone to take me where I need to go." Not having the ability or luxury to walk is something which may affect persons' confidence and self-worth. But this young man shows how to make the best of what you have and living life the full, said Annemarie Mostert, National Coordinator of Sesego Cares. Bulelani is one of the many people Sesego Cares and the Rotary Club of Northcliff have assisted through their Wheelchair Project partnership.
Annemarie Mostert visited Marjorie Jacobsen, 94 years, who donated her motorised wheel chair to Bulelani Kobe in Butterworth. This was a birthday gift from Sesego Cares. He will be turning twenty two on 30 July 2009. We will celebrate with Bulelani his 22nd birthday on 30 July 2009. Halala Bulelani Kobe, Happy Birthday in advance.
Children of Fire, Thursday, 16April 2009
To Sesego Cares,
Thank you for your kind donation of three benches and a table for our school. The children love being able to sit outside in the sun having their lunch. Johannesburg School for Blind, Low Vision and Multiple Disability Children (Beka) is a sister charity to Children of Fire - burned children coming to the city for medical treatment are able to keep up with schoolwork at Beka.
Beka is a registered non-profit organisation and currently the only primary school for visually impaired children in Johannesburg. It survive purely on public donations do any contribution, no matter how small, is much appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Mortain Dube
Principal
Johannesburg School for the Blind
Tel: 011 726 6529
Fax: 011 482 4258
Email: firechildren@icon.co.za
Once again, thank you and all your colleagues for their very thoughtful gift of toiletry bags for the children of Guild. They were very thrilled and certainly found a use for all contents. Your support and thoughtful consideration have been a great help during this difficult time. Thank you again.
Kind Regards
Thrish Heslop
Director, Guild cottage
On 4th May 2009 191 crutches were handed over to the Vaal Elderly Forum at the Eventide Old Age Home. The donation was facilitated by Sešego Cares and its partner, Rotary Club of Northcliff. Nana Maja, a social worker in Eventide Vaal old age home was overwhelmed. Senior citizens (pensioners), struggled to take a walk. These crutches will be of great value in helping elderly persons in the Sedibeng area. The Forum is experiencing difficult times, and only have voluntary workers. People interested to volunteer their time can phone the Chairman, Dr Alan Pittendrigh on 083 303 3676 or Mrs. Gloria Nobile on 076 362 7332. We also donated twenty two wheelchairs to Vaal Elderly Forum on June 2009. The wheelchairs are for Senior citizens who can not walk and are unable to use crutches. Dr Alan Pittendrigh thanked Sešego Cares on behalf of Vaal Elderly Forum for the love they have shown to the Senior citizens.
Sešego Cares donated sixty toiletry to Hanna Hopkins House in Cape Town on 23 May 2009. These bag are filled lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste, face towel and bath soap.
Hanna Hopkins House provides temporal accommodation to patients with any disease and traumatized people from distant areas, who come to Cape Town for hospitalization. We have realized that toiletry bags are a necessity in Hanna Hopkins House, because some patients do not bring their bathing materials.
Sešego Cares has also donated toiletry bags to Njabulo's Children Home (Orphanage) in Roodeport and Guild Cottage (a Centre for abused children) in Milpark.
Sešego Cares presented a cheque of R 150 000 to the wheelchair project of the Rotary Club of Northcliff, during their annual fundraising golf day held on 25 June 2009 at the Randpark golf course. After a well played round, all the golfers settled down to a warm dinner and entertainment by Zamar, for the prize giving.
Joanne von Zeuner, Chairperson of Sešego Cares, opened the proceedings with a short welcoming and shared a few words of gratitude for the various sponsors and participants who made it all possible, further adding that it showed true commitment to the plight of people in need. She continued by saying, "Your participation and your presence here today is evidence of our common belief by joining hands, together we can try to reduce some of the issues facing our communities."
Dennis Steward, convenor of the wheelchair project of Rotary Club of Northcliff, was filled with appreciation when expressing the importance of partnerships. He added that "The Rotary Club of Northcliff values the partnership which they have with 'Sešego Cares', who not only provide significant financial assistance but who also augment the efforts of Rotary Clubs throughout South Africa in distributing wheelchairs to needy, disabled fellow South Africans."
The units are procured in the United Kingdom by the Rotary Club of Rushmoor and sent by sea to Johannesburg where they are cleaned, repaired and are distributed from a depot in Selby. Wheelchairs have gone out to many cities, towns and villages including such diverse places as Cape Town, Richards Bay, White River, Naboomspruit, Port Elizabeth and Umtata.
"In addition to wheelchairs, many other ancillary items have been received and distributed, such as hundreds of crutches, walking aids and the like. One very important aspect of the project is that the wheelchairs and ancillary items are donated at no cost whatsoever to the end user. To date some 18 000 wheelchairs have been distributed in this way and with the assistance of 'Sešego Cares' it is hoped to reach a target of 20 000 units in the not too distant future" said Steward.
Maria Ramos, Absa Group Chief Executive, attended the evening prize-giving and dinner. Ramos says: "In a developing society such as ours, it is critically important for each and every one of us to take up our personal responsibility for contributing to a brighter future for all South Africans. I am proud to associate myself and Absa with the great work that Sešego Cares does, and I have great admiration for the journey which the directors and friends of Sešego Cares have embarked on.
The annual Sešego Cares golf day took place in Randpark golf course on 25 June 2009. The Sešego Cares Golf Day is an initiative by Sešego Cares to generate funds to help disadvantaged communities and individuals in Southern Africa. The event was sponsored by Fidelity Security Services and KPMG. Absa executives (Happy Ntshingila, Mohale Ralebitso and Peter Mageza) pledged their support to Sešego Cares by personally taking part in 2009 Golf Day. Last year, Sešego Cares raised R300 000 and half of that amount was spent in the wheelchairs project. Due to the success of last year event, Sešego Cares board members decided that the Golf Day should be an annual event. This year, Sešego Cares made R230 000. The event was attended by Absa Group Chief Executive, Maria Ramos. She had the following to say, "In a developing society such as ours, it is critically important for each and every one of us to take up our personal responsibility for contributing to a brighter future for all South Africans. I am proud to associate myself and Absa with the great work that Sešego Cares does, and I have great admiration for the journey which the directors and friends of Sešego Cares have embarked on."
Thank You
Sešego Cares would like thank golfers, sponsors and those contributed to the Golf Day. Thank you for making the golf day a success. Join us next year again. Sešego Cares is committed to create a better Southern Africa. Together we can better the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves
Sešego Cares and Absa employees (Klersdorp branch) in North West donated books to Diphetogo primary school. Diphetogo has 1150 pupils from grade 1 to grade 07 and the pass rate is high. Sešego Cares received books from Rotarians and handed out more than 200 books and magazines that can be used for academic purposes and to start a library.
The school is managed by Mrs NM Thako, she is very diligent and vigilant. Diphetogo primary school is neat and children are always in School uniform, despite the fact that most of the pupils come from disadvantaged families. The school receives food from government school feeding scheme. The school feeding scheme is an initiative by government. Only disadvantaged public schools benefit from this initiative.
Diphetogo primary school was established in 1978 by Mrs TG Leturi, the first principal of the school. She is now on retirement. She saw a great need for a primary school in the community. Diphetogo is an African name that means changes.
Martha Manamela, Sešego Cares Coordinator in Limpopo and her colleagues handed over school shoes to disadvantaged school pupils who did not have school shoes. The pupils were overwhelmed as they received school shoes.
Thank you letter
12 Frimley Road
Robertsham
2091
P.O.Box 90237
Bertsham
2013
www.thandifoundation.org.za
NPO: Pending
Dearest Sešego Cares,
Thank you so much for initiating, developing and achieving the wonderful donation of R 10 000 from Sešego Cares for the Thandi Foundation. Our beneficiaries will be most grateful for the continuance of their Expressive Arts programme as well as the research that we will be able to conduct with the ongoing operations of our Orange Farm group "Youth on Fire".
Please will you be so kind as to forward this letter of thanks to Sešego Cares or forward me their details so that I can forward them a letter as well.
We look forward to an ongoing and mutually beneficial relationship between Sešego Cares and ourselves and await your instructions on the next step.
Best regards.
Yours truly,
Colin Lee
Director - Strategy
Attention Ms Gail Henry
On behalf of the Metropolitan Evangelistic Church Grassy Park,we want to thank you for the wheel chair you donated to us.
This donation is greatly appreciated as we have a congregation of which the seniors outnumber the younger people.
We also want to apologize for only thanking you now, due to a lack of communication problem on our side.
I know that this is unacceptable and can assure you that I will address it at our next church council meeting.
Thank you once again for considering us and I can assure you that the wheel chair is being used at the church.
Thanking You.
Reverend H.Savage.
The Southern Cape business banking team is very passionate about giving back to the community. Last year they generated more than R45 000 by means of wine auctions and auction at the Golf day. The team has been nominated for the Prestige Award this year. Unfortunately 2009 is not a good year for the team as the budgets for hosting the Golf day and wine tasting was cut. The team involvement in community projects is not big as last year.
They have now applied at The College of Whiskey to host a whiskey tasting event for top business customers to generate funds. The plan is to auction wine and hope to generate about R10 000. They are also going to ask customers to donate money or food. The funds generated at this event, which will be hosted on 02 July 2009, will be used to buy disposable nappies for the children. Disposable nappies are one of the biggest expenses of the school. The school has a monthly bill of R21 000. Hugo Du Plessis visited the school before it closed for holiday and handed out nappies. The school is buying nappies in Port Elizabeth at very good price.
REQUEST
Southern Cape Business team would like to apply for funding from Sešego Cares to help the school to buy nappies. It will be absolutely great if Sešego Cares could sponsor the school with at least one month disposable nappies bill of R21 000.
The 2009 Absa Choir Festival took place in Kyalami at Theatre on track on 29 July 2009. Choirs representing ten regions arrived on the 27 July in Indaba Hotel. On the 28 July, all choirs went to Theatre on track for rehearsal. J B Arthur, the composer of Absa song rehearsed the Absa song with the mass choir. The competition was divided into two sessions, morning and evening session. The morning session was the Absa song and own choice song in the evening. The evening session was attended by VIP guests, to mention the few, Absa Group Chief executive, Maria Ramos, Happy Tshingila etc. 2009 Choir Festival was more competitive, it was not easy to predict the winner. Gauteng East were crowned the 2009 Absa National Choir festival champions and were also voted the most popular choir. Each choir member of the winning choir gets R2500 voucher and a gold medal. Western Cape won the second prize.
Joanne Von Zeuner (Sešego Cares Chairperson) was awarded a Merit Award on behalf of Sešego Cares by Rotary of Northcliff for Devoted and Unselfish "Service Above Self" to the community. The prize giving function was on Wednesday, 05 August 2009. Annemarie Mostert accepted the Award on behalf of Joanne Von Zeuner.