Johannesburg. 12 October 2023. Premier Soccer League champions, Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club players, including from the club’s ladies’ squad, and South Africa’s largest food manufacturer, Tiger Brands, visited Tshireletso Orphanage and Home Base Care Centre in Tshwane, ahead of World Food Day taking place on Monday,16th October, to hand over food hampers, a water tank, and help plant vegetables on site.
This year World Food Day promotes the importance of water for life and food under the theme “Water is Life. Water if Food. Leave No One Behind.”
“As league champions and important role models in local communities, as well as active corporate citizens, our collaboration with Mamelodi Sundowns gave us the opportunity to demonstrate the power of unity in bringing about positive change in local communities,” Preeya Naidu, Manager Corporate Social Investment at Tiger Brands.
World Food Day is a significant event in South Africa highlighting critical and ongoing challenges and opportunities relating to food security and nutrition in the country. More than 12 million people in the country suffer hunger every day.
“World Food Day is not only symbolic but a time for reflection, action and partnership between stakeholders in making a meaningful impact on the state of nutrition, food security and overall wellbeing of the South African people,” says Naidu.
The vegetable garden will provide the Care Centre with a sustainable source of fresh produce, as well as help to nurture a sense of self-sufficiency and pride within the community. The food hampers sponsored by Tiger Brands will serve as an immediate relief, ensuring that the centre’s residents have access to nutritious meals.
Michael Loftman, Assistant coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, emphasised the importance of giving back to the community: "It's of great significance to our club that we are here, keeping in mind the importance of giving back and aiding those in need. We aspire for this event to mark the commencement of a constructive and enduring approach to empower our local communities."
Founder of Tshireletso Orphanage and Home Base Care Centre, Rose Molomo, expressed gratitude for the support received on the day, saying the food hampers would offer much-needed relief for the centre.
/ends
