Johannesburg, 28 Oct 2011
Itec Tiyende, a member of the Itec Group, has donated R50 000 to Cape Town community-based organisation, Ikamva Labantu to be used to improve the quality of life of the senior citizens the organisation assists through its township seniors' clubs.
The donation cements a longstanding black economic empowerment partnership between Itec and Ikamva Labantu, which is one of South Africa's largest and most respected community organisations.
Ikamva Labantu employs more than 100 people, and cares for and assists around 25 000 children and adults in poor communities. Through its 17 seniors' clubs, Ikamva Labantu assists over 540 vulnerable elderly people with daily programmes that include social activities, health monitoring, balanced daily meals and income-generating projects.
Says Simbo Ntshinka, MD of Itec Tiyende: “For Itec, it is very important to work with the right corporate social investment (CSI) partners who can demonstrate that they are sustainable and have a high impact on the community.
“We know Ikamva Labantu very well through the work we have done together over the years and can think of no organisation we would rather support with our CSI budget. We particularly approve of the way that it reaches out to the community and are always impressed by the dedication of its focused and cause-driven employees.”
“We are grateful to Itec Tiyende for this donation and for its support over the years,” adds Sipho Puwani, CEO of Ikamva Labantu. “It is through our network of relationships with corporate sponsors like Itec that we are able to ensure the sustainability of our projects.”
More than 90% of senior citizens in townships live on government pensions, he says. Adding to their financial burden is the fact that they are increasingly becoming sole providers to families, second-generation parents, and the core of the township family structure.
“As such, the Itec Tiyende funding will be used to help a marginalised part of the community. We will use the funds for transporting seniors and improving our senior club facilities, which offer food, love and companionship to neglected elderly people,” says Puwani.
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