Over 50 staff from the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) volunteered their time and resources to serve various community projects throughout the Western Cape on Nelson Mandela Day (18 July).
According to acting chief executive officer, Megan Arendse the projects, which where undertaken with the centre’s four community partners addressed fundamental issues within the immediate and broader communities such as unemployment, substance abuse and homelessness. “As a pioneer in social responsibility, one of the CTICC’s core objectives is contributing to a self – sustaining economy through extending its reach by empowering and uplifting the communities within which it operates,” says Arendse.
The Haven Night Shelter in the city received 100 “Care Pack” donations and the CTICC staff prepared a dinner for over 100 homeless people. The CTICC also embarked on a toy collection drive for the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR), an organisation that supports individuals and communities affected by alcohol abuse and foetal alcohol syndrome.
In Khayelitsha, CTICC staff lent a helping hand at the Abalimi Bezekhaya Harvest of Hope project and the Joe Slovo informal settlement, where they assisted with harvesting fresh produce for retail consumption and in beautification projects respectively.
As a flagship project of the Western Cape government’s 110% Green campaign the CTICC lent its support to an initiative driven by Premier Helen Zille to provide meals for disadvantaged communities in Stellenbosch. One of CTICC’s chefs also participated in a cook-off challenge with the Premier.
“CTICC is proud to be affiliated with the 110% Green initiative in order to offset the costs and consequences of climate change with economic growth and job creation,” says Arendse.