Zonkizizwe receives hope

The Truck of Love, an initiative in partnership with Standard Bank, 94.7 Highveld Stereo and Talk Radio 702, visited the centre in December to hand over R100 000 worth of goods. The Grade 3 pupils at Reddam House, Waterfall, contributed a further R10 000 to the centre.

The centre has been top-of-the-agenda for Ward 93 for a while and the ward has offered assistance on a number of occasions. On Mandela Day in 2012, the caretakers told Ward 93 councillor Annette Deppe that the centre needed essentials such as tables and chairs for the pupils, food, electricity, fresh running water, stationery, and mattresses for sleep-time. The caregivers said the meals the children get at the centre are often their only meal of the day. There are 77 disadvantaged children who currently attend the school.

Earlier this year, chairperson of Barbeque Downs Community Candice James hosted a cocktail party for the women in the suburb, and each guest was required to bring a stationery gift for the children at Zonkizizwe. James said two women who attended the evening will buy 60 mattresses for the children.

With Standard Bank committing R100 000 to meet many of the centre’s needs, along with the help of 94.7 Highveld Stereo and Talk Radio 702 presenters Alex Caige and Udo Carelse, the centre can look forward to a water tank, a new container classroom, mattresses and food vouchers.

Each child also received a gift. Highveld’s Caige commented, “Being able to bring love, hope and joy to a place like Zonkizizwe Centre has filled me with love, hope and joy.”

Standard Bank executive head of brand and sponsorships, Jenny Pheiffer said, “We sometimes get caught up in the trappings of the holidays and The Truck of Love is an opportunity for us to see real progress happen for people and their communities.”

Reddam House Waterfall’s Grade 3 pupils held a market day and raised R10 000. They will buy a jungle gym for the school.