Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) initiated its Winter Warmers campaign on 1 June 2012 across its nine airports to benefit children in need across the country. The objective of the campaign was to provide winter warmers on Mandela Day for children in various schools identified by the airports.

Nelson Mandela is passionate about young people and education. In line with his natural disposition to teach and inspire, ACSA’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) strategy for July is focussed on making an invaluable contribution to schools and communities to heed the call to make a difference for change.

During the six weeks leading up to Mandela Day, ACSA employees at all nine airports were engaged in a variety of activities to prepare for the uniform handover, including getting the correct shoe and clothing sizes for each child. More than 9,000 pairs of school shoes were ordered for the children in need and will be handed to them over the next few weeks. Beanies, socks and jerseys where ordered in addition to blankets, mattresses and toys to ensure a warmer winter for those in need.

On Mandela Day, ACSA employees were in high spirits and eager to dedicate their 67 minutes in the various activities. To celebrate Nelson Mandela’s birthday, staff members were involved in a variety of activities, ranging from painting, renovating and repairing to singing, dancing, playing and reading to the children at some of the schools and care centres.

The schools and care centres benefitting from ACSA’s winter warmers campaign include:

• Bergville Primary, Hillside Primary, Parkvale Primary, Nooitgedacht Primary and Bishop Schools (Cape Town)
• Areabaokeng Day Care centre (Johannesburg)
• KwaMama Care centre, Shaka’s Head (Durban)
• Alfonso Arries Primary and Imbasa Primary  (Port Elizabeth)
• Mankurwane Primary (Kimberly)
• Kalksloot  and Mctaggerscamp Intermediate Schools (Upington)
• Mzoxolo Primary, Rosemoor Primary (George)
• Fort Grey Primary School, Overton Primary, Coveridge Primary, Sinomonde Public School, (East London)

Nelson Mandela Day was a wonderful success and has inspired not only the children and communities benefitting from the donations and work delivered but also the staff members who were involved from start to finish.

ACSA Group Communications Manager Solomon Makgale says “Nelson Mandela Day is an initiative that seeks to make the world a better place and this year we have decided to focus on the most vulnerable yet most important part of our society - the children. With temperatures reaching very low levels, we appreciate the importance of ensuring a warmer winter for children and improving their current conditions. I’m delighted that we were also able to inspire and bring joy to them at the same time.”

For more information contact:
Solomon Makgale
Group Manager Communications
Airports Company South Africa
Direct: +27 (0) 11 723 1536
Fax to E-Mail: +27 (0) 86 602 0132
Cell: +27 (0) 82 781 8863
E-Mail: Solomon.Makgale@airports.co.za

Prepared and issued by:
Sifiso Jacklas
The Communications Firm (TCF)
Direct: +27 (0) 11 463 7550
Cell: +27 (0) 82 337 1016
E-Mail: Sifiso@tcf.co.za