A high-fashion showcase at Steyn City on October 3 turned into an educational fundraiser for neighbouring Diepsloot learners.

The Threads of Impact event, hosted by My Ascent, brought together designers, families, and supporters for an afternoon of fashion, food, and music. Proceeds will establish a new digital library at the Diepsloot Community Centre and support youth programmes.

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The digital library project is undertaken in partnership with Summits with a Purpose NPC, an organisation focused on bridging the digital divide in underserved communities. Learners will access curriculum-aligned literacy and numeracy applications through tablets, supported by free Wi-Fi provided by Boomer. Schools remain responsible for the care and safety of the equipment.

Summits with a Purpose founder Sarah Khumalo said access to education helps children see beyond local borders and realise their potential. “I’m hoping that they can see beyond the borders of Diepsloot,” said Khumalo. “They can see that it’s not about where they are today, but about their potential.”

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Khumalo added that access to education could help children imagine futures beyond their current circumstances. “We can lose our kids to crime because that’s what they can see,” she said. “But we can also lose them to education because we’ve made it possible for them.”

My Ascent founder Fazlin Swanepoel said the initiative aimed to show young people that their circumstances do not determine their future. Swanepoel said My Ascent aims to enrol at least 500 children in its programme annually.

The event was supported by Auto & General and the Steyn City community, with local residents and their children participating as runway models.

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