Staff at Primedia Outdoor have, for another year, given up their Christmas party. This in order to bring some festive cheer to those in need. The team, led by CEO Dave Roberts, visited Motheo Primary School in Mamelodi to give learners stationery, bags and other much needed supplies for the 2016 school year.
The Primedia Outdoor team has been transforming their Christmas party into a worthwhile cause for the past five years. They have given to communities in both Ekurhuleni and Soweto in the past, always trying to identify and give to the neediest of people. Roberts, who was called Father Christmas at the event, says the company goes back to communities where they have billboards to assist them. “This is something that has become part of our DNA. Education is a massive priority for SA and if we can do even little things it helps the greater cause,” he explains.
The handover was also attended by City of Tshwane acting executive mayor, Subesh Pillay. Of the association that Primedia Outdoor has with the City, Roberts says, “We are giving something to enhance our relationship with the City of Tshwane.”
Pillay says the City is always on the lookout for corporate citizens who are willing to help the City enhance its social imperatives, particularly education, which is an area of focus. “Schools are the pipeline for the kind of society you want to build. We identify schools that need assistance and partner with corporates that will help,” Pillay says.
[quote font_style=”italic” color=”#dd0000″ bgcolor=”#ffffff”]”You young people are the future of our country. The future and what you want to become in future starts in school. You plant the seed here”[/quote]
Visitors to the school, including some of the staff of Primedia Outdoor, were treated to several performances by the learners which included traditional dancing, gumboot dancing and singing. After this a sea of smiling, joyous faces could be seen as the 369 learners, ranging from Grade R to 7, received their gifts.
Joyce Nkomo, the school’s principal, says the staff and learners are “very touched by the gesture of kindness and generousness.” She added that, “This means we still have companies out there who understand the role of education and what it means for these children. The stationary means go and do it, it’s a motivation for the children. They will work harder because of it.”
One of the other elements that Pillay touched on was the big free Wi-Fi project that the City has been rolling out. He explained how the City wants schools to be used as hubs for the free Wi-Fi to be used most effectively and to cultivate the right kind of thinking of learners to ensure that this happens. He encouraged all the pupils to “use the free Wi-Fi to learn to help your country grow and be a better country”. He also motivated them by saying, “You young people are the future of our country. The future and what you want to become in future starts in school. You plant the seed here.”
While the day was all about the festivities, Roberts also touched on how he sees the out of home landscape for 2016. When asked how he sees the market coping next year he said, “We anticipate business may be tight next year as the economy is struggling and consumers will also be struggling. We have to operate strategically and as smartly as possible.”
