The CTICC is proud to announce that it has adopted five local community partners which the centre has committed to supporting moving forward.
After months of consultation with staff, who have played an important role in nominating and substantiating why these NGOs should be chosen, the CTICC announced that it will partner with Abalimi Bezekhaya, Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR), Ikhaya le Themba, Mothers Unite and Journey of Enrichment.
โThese non-governmental organisations play an important role in uplifting and enriching communities and the CTICC felt it fitting that it partners with such important institutions. As a strategic asset of the City of Cape Town and Western Cape Government, the CTICC is committed to not only building its business but giving back to the community and striving to be a responsible corporate citizen,โ says CTICC Chief Executive Officer, Julie-May Ellingson.
Ellingson adds: โDuring the selection process, the CTICC was inspired by the support these organisations provide, and we hope that through this partnership we will make a positive difference in the lives of those in needโ.
During the 2015/16 financial year, the CTICC spent over R850 000 supporting various non-profit organisations and organised over 20 activations varying from offering donations, sponsoring venues and volunteering activities.
The CTICC has been supporting Abalimi Bezekhaya since 2013 and is excited to continue its partnership with the NPO not only through donations but also by procuring fresh organic vegetables through its social business arm, Harvest of Hope. Abalimi Bezekhaya supports micro-farmers on the Cape Flats to grow their own organic vegetables.
โIt is fantastic news and we are excited to have the partnership continue. It has been a great partnership because not only does the CTICC buy our vegetables but we have face-to-face contact with staff through their volunteering on special days. It is great to have a relationship with people that are actually there,โ says Christopher DโAiuto, Programme Manager at Abalimi Bezekhaya.
FARR is another NGO that the CTICC has partnered with in the past. The organisation works with communities affected by foetal-alcohol syndrome disorder in South Africa. In the past year, FARR used CTICC donations to initiate and pilot their ‘Do you have 3 minutes’ door to door awareness campaign.
Established in 2003, Ikhaya le Themba empowers local communities to build value-based communities through community development and enterprise development programmes. In their application the NGO indicated that donations of food, stationery and building materials as well as funding to market its enterprise development initiative, Indalo, would allow it to work at full capacity.
Journey of Enrichment is a feeding scheme that supports the community through sustainable development, and works to empower women and youth through education. The organisationโs feeding scheme focuses primarily on food parcel drives and the organisation regularly beautifies the neighbourhoods in which it operates. However, the NGO is in urgent need of, skills exchange programmes and food donations. It also needs support to market itself to increase exposure of its work.
Mothers Unite was started by Carol Jacobs and a small group of mothers who realised that many of the children in their neighbourhood were going hungry every day. The NGO focusses on empowering vulnerable women and children in the Seawinds and Lavender Hills communities in Cape Town.
Because of the type of work it does, Mothers Unite is in constant need of resources for its literacy, nutrition, and first aid programmes, as well as its computer lab.
โFor Mother Unite, we are totally elated and humbled by the fact that we were selected. This partnership with the CTICC will affect more people in a positive way and will help development within our communities,โ says Carol Jacobs.
For more information, contact Susan Davis, Corporate Communications Manager at the CTICC, at media@cticc.co.za or +27 21 410 5000.
