Johannesburg, South Africa – July 16th, 2024 – In South Africa, approximately 20% of the population faces moderate or severe food insecurity. Among children under the age of 5 - 22.8% are affected by stunting (due to poor nutrition) - and 3.8% experience wasting (low weight-for-height). To commemorate Mandela Month and honour Nelson Mandela's legacy of community service, Sage Foundation and Attacq Foundation, in partnership with Rise Against Hunger (RAH), are taking a bold step in the fight against hunger. In their fourth consecutive year of partnership, they aim to pack an ambitious 400,000 nutritional meals on 18 July, encouraging their staff to give 67 minutes of their time to pack these meals.
The RAH Africa Programme is a volunteer-based initiative that supports over 300 Early Childhood Development (ECD) facilities directly. For every 20 children attending an ECD, RAH supplies one box of meals, sufficient for 3–5 servings per child per week for a month. These nutritious meals target children between the ages of 1 to 6 years old which are the critical developmental years.
In 2023, the initiative saw a remarkable increase in volunteer participation of corporate residents in and around the Midrand precinct, with more than 1,350 volunteers joining the effort, up from 500 the previous year. This surge in support helped Sage and Attacq exceed its meal target, packing over 273,522 meals, and reaching 1,189 children. This year, Sage and Attacq aim to nearly double their impact by packing 400,000 meals, continuing the upward trend of volunteer participation.
“As part of Sage’s Sustainability and Society strategy, we are committed to breaking barriers and fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. Our commitment extends to all our stakeholders, with a particular focus on uplifting communities. Our collaboration with RAH reinforces our pledge to drive positive change,” says Pieter Bensch, MD & Executive Vice President, Africa & Middle East, Sage.
“There is a famous proverb that says, ‘many hands make light work’. Sage embodies this belief by fostering a culture of active participation. We provide each colleague globally with five paid volunteering days annually, encouraging them to dedicate their time to programs and charities close to their hearts,” adds Bensch. “Our partnership with Attacq and RAH exemplifies the strength of collaboration and the collective effort in driving positive change.”
Early childhood development is crucial for educational achievement, and eradicating hunger can unlock a world of possibilities for preschool children. Mandela Day is not just a celebration; it's a call to action to provide fully balanced nutritional meals for children necessary for their holistic development.
Danny Vermeulen Human Capital and Transformation Manager from Attacq added, "We are proud to partner with Sage Foundation for this significant initiative. Together, we can make a meaningful and sustainable difference, honouring Nelson Mandela's legacy by addressing one of the most pressing challenges in the country – hunger."
The meal-packing event will be hosted at the Mall of Africa’s Waterfall Park in Waterfall City on Mandela Day, 18 July. For more information about the initiative or to get involved, visit www.riseagainsthunger.org.za/volunteerevents.
Sage Foundation has been knocking down barriers in our communities since 2015. By mobilising our colleagues, partners, and customers through impactful programmes, Sage Foundation is helping underrepresented entrepreneurs to grow their businesses while equipping the entrepreneurs of tomorrow with the skills they need to succeed.
Sage exists to knock down barriers so everyone can thrive, starting with the millions of small- and mid-sized businesses served by us, our partners and accountants. Customers trust our finance, HR and payroll software to make work and money flow. By digitising business processes and relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, banks and governments, our digital network connects SMBs, removing friction and delivering insights. Knocking down barriers also means we use our time, technology, and experience to tackle digital inequality, economic inequality and the climate crisis. Learn more at www.sage.com.
Attacq Limited is an innovative Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) based in South Africa, with a vision to create sustainable value for all stakeholders. Attacq is listed on both the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and A2X Markets, demonstrating its commitment to transparency and accountability.
Attacq focuses on developing and managing vibrant precincts in collaboration with like-minded partners. This collaborative approach has contributed to growth in the South African portfolio, which now comprises 52 buildings covering 742 281m2 of effective gross lettable area (GLA).
A key strategic focus for Attacq has been its diversified portfolio of six precincts across South Africa. This multi-asset approach enables management to mitigate prevailing risks whilst ensuring resilience in the face of various challenges, including financial, social and environmental changes.
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