Couture took on a greater purpose at the Threads of Impact fundraiser at Steyn City on October 3, where fashion was used to raise funds for a digital library and youth opportunities in neighbouring Diepsloot.

The My Ascent fundraiser brought together Steyn City and surrounding residents, families, designers and supporters for an afternoon of runway fashion, food, music and entertainment, with proceeds supporting the organisation’s youth programmes and the planned digital library at the Diepsloot Community Centre.

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My Ascent founder Fazlin Swanepoel said the event was about using community support to create opportunities for children who have limited access to technology and educational resources. “We want kids to know that where they come from doesn’t necessarily mean that is where you end up in life,” she said.

Swanepoel said My Ascent hopes to put at least 500 children through its youth programme each year, while also supporting the development of more digital libraries in underserved communities. The Diepsloot library is being developed in partnership with Summits with a Purpose non-profit company, which has delivered 17 digital libraries to communities, with the Diepsloot project set to become its 18th.

The founder of Summits with a Purpose said education was central to creating opportunities for the next generation. “I believe education is the equaliser,” she said, explaining that the organisation moved towards digital libraries after Covid-19 highlighted the widening digital divide between children with access to technology and those without it.

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The libraries provide tablets loaded with literacy, numeracy and curriculum-aligned educational applications. Schools also receive Wi-Fi support through a partnership with Boomer, allowing learners to access the educational material.

The organisation’s goal, founder of Summits with a Purpose said, was to help children see possibilities beyond their immediate circumstances. “I’m hoping that they can see beyond the borders of Diepsloot. They can see that it’s not about where they are today, but about their potential,” she said.
The initiative has received support from Diepsloot councillors Rufus Maswazi (Ward 96) and Julius Maake (Ward 95). Maswazi said the digital library could make a meaningful difference to children living in informal settlements. “We are very happy with this initiative because it’s going to assist our kids, most of whom live in informal settlements with no proper electricity, network or internet,” he said.

He described the initiative as a potential starting point for children who want to improve their circumstances. “We believe that we’ll be able to change their lives. Some of them need to take their parents out of the shacks to a better place. This will be a start for them,” Maswazi said.

The digital library will be established at the existing Diepsloot Community Centre, providing children with access to educational technology in a familiar and safe community space.

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