Student being fitted with glasses
Ster-Kinekor held special events for kids from disadvantaged backgrounds at selected Ster-Kinekor sites nationwide in celebration of Mandela Day. The events on 18 July included the donation of spectacles in line with its CSI programme Vision Mission.
The aims of Vision Mission are to contribute to the elimination of avoidable blindness in communities across South Africa and to increase awareness of low vision as a major public health issue. The programme is also aligned with the World Health Organisation’s Universal Eye Health Global Action Plan 2014-2019.
Geraldine Engelmann, Head of CSI, Wellness & Transformation at Ster-Kinekor, states, “The Mandela Day theme is #ActionAgainstPoverty and fits in line with our national CSI flagship programme of providing eye care to learners to eradicate poverty by them being able to complete their education with vision.”
Apart from the handing over of spectacles, kids enjoyed a complimentary popcorn and coke combos at a special movie screening in the luxurious, state-of-the-art theatres Ster-Kinekor is renowned for. Fun was had; delicious food was eaten and gift bags were given during the festivities. Kids did a special presentation before heading into the cinema where they experienced the big screen and larger-than-life visuals.At Ster-Kinekor Maponya Mall in Soweto, spectacles were handed over to learners from Unity Secondary School, who got the full cinema experience of Transformers: The Last Knight.
The film sees Optimus Prime finds his dead home planet, Cybertron, where he discovers that he was responsible for its destruction. Seeking redemption, he finds a way to bring Cybertron back to life, but in order to do so, Optimus needs to find an artefact hidden on Earth, and so begins the war between humans and Transformers. They were also treated to delicious food provided by Tavern, Spur and Wimpy. Fragrance Company WC1 London also provided tea, coffee and soup. There were also fun activities for the kids.
Other participating cinemas screened Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom that was provided by Videovision Entertainment.Producer Anant Singh says, “We were delighted to make available Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom for Ster-Kinekor’s Mandela Day initiative. The film takes us on the journey of Madiba’s life, which will inspire the children to live their lives according to his principles and live up to the motto of Mandela Day – Take Action. Inspire Change and make every day a Mandela Day. It is also an opportunity for them to commemorate and celebrate the 99th anniversary of Madiba’s birth.”
At Ster-Kinekor N1 City, Ster-Kinekor Cape Town’s regional team went the extra mile to help disadvantaged kids on Mandela Day, all by themselves! The team sponsored the event for two hundred disadvantaged children at Ster-Kinekor N1 City to make the great cinema experience even greater for them. The team bought movie tickets out of their own pocket and provided yummy, sandwiches and snack packs for the kids from Bontheuwel Mission church, Monica’s Charity Christine Revell Children’s Home and Reach For A Dream. Senior learners from CMES, an underprivileged school were also in attendance.
At Ster-Kinekor Mall of Africa in Midrand, Rays of Hope, a charity operating in Alexandra Township impacting over 2000 people enjoyed a spectacular cinema experience. The organisation runs community-based projects with its primary focus on orphaned and vulnerable children, education and work readiness.Ster-Kinekor Mall of the North in Limpopo hosted where they received spectacles. The kids did a special presentation before heading into the theatre where Nelson Mandela’s story unfolded before their eyes. Learners were also treated to a takeaway lunch and received special gift bags.
“I wish to thank all our sponsors for their generosity and becoming a partner in our Mandela Day event. Ster-Kinekor is all about experiences and watching a movie on the big screen is an experience these kids will never forget. There’s such joy in bringing a smile to a child’s face that encapsulates Madiba’s spirit,” concludes Engelmann.
-Edited press release
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