The SABC has always placed a high value on corporate social investment (CSI). As part of its commitment to giving back to South African communities, the public service broadcaster leverages partnerships and devises strategic plans to play its part in driving the nation forward.
Every year, SABC CSI dedicates a significant amount of airtime to qualifying NGOs through public service announcements (PSAs).
The dedication underscores the SABC’s commitment to social causes and amplifies the voices of various organisations working tirelessly to make a difference. The PSAs help raise awareness about important social issues and connect people to vital resources and support services. By providing NGOs with free airtime, the SABC ensures that critical messages reach a wider audience, positively impacting lives.
The SABC continues to collaborate with various stakeholders across all sectors to amplify the impact of its CSI efforts. Through strategic partnerships, the SABC is able to address social challenges and drive sustainable development in a more co-ordinated and effective manner.
Reflecting on flagship programmes like “Touching Lives” and “Helping Hands”, the SABC has consistently provided support and hope to South African communities. The programmes serve as memorable CSI initiatives that the SABC has documented and showcased to the nation and have laid solid groundwork for its CSI efforts, ensuring that the public broadcaster continues to touch lives and extend a helping hand to many, on and off-screen.
The SABC leverages its vast platforms to spread messages of hope and positivity beyond its mandate of informing, entertaining and educating millions of South Africans. Through various campaigns, partnerships and special programming, the SABC ensures its influence transcends the screen and airwaves into the hearts and minds of its audience.
The public broadcaster’s CSI work extends to all corners of the country, reaching even underprivileged schools, to demonstrate its commitment to uplift communities and create long-term positive change. Beyond providing pupils with material support, the SABC instils a renewed sense of dignity and hope, with initiatives such as sanitary towel drives, stationery and uniform provisions as well as donating computers. The items have proved to transform the learners’ educational experience, empowering future generations with confidence and tools to help them break the cycle of poverty.
The SABC’s CSI commitment extends beyond education. Through its partnerships with NGOs across the nation, the public broadcaster reaches out to the most vulnerable members of society, renovating shelters to create havens for those who have nowhere else to turn.
In communities devastated by floods, the SABC has stepped in to help rebuild, offering support to residents who have lost their homes, possessions and families. Over the years, the SABC’s CSI efforts have enabled it to reach and positively impact the lives of those most in need.
The SABC’s acts of kindness and generosity demonstrate its dedication to uplifting and empowering South Africans from all walks of life. Its CSI initiatives serve as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, ubuntu always wins and people are willing to lend a helping hand to make the world a better place.
This Mandela Day, the SABC reiterates its commitment to being at the forefront of the change it wishes to see in the world. By continuously engaging in community-building activities, the public broadcaster honours the legacy of Tata Nelson Mandela and actively contributes to the betterment of society.
Through its extensive reach and influential platforms, the SABC continues to inspire and mobilise individuals and communities to take action towards positive change. In celebration of Mandela Day, the public broadcaster invites all South Africans to join its efforts to ensure a society that is just, fair and compassionate.
SABC MANDELA DAY PLANS 2024
The SABC CSI has partnered with Habitat for Humanity, an NGO that helps build homes for communities worldwide, with the support of corporates and volunteers.
This year, their focus is on the Eastern Cape, Gauteng and Free State provinces. SABC CSI will support the main event in Mangaung, Free State, on July 19 and the Gauteng event in Orange Farm on July 18.
Good Hope FM
The station-partnered “Ladies of Love” and “The Morning Show” will be broadcasting live from The Lookout at V&A Waterfront. The talent will assist in packing and preparing food for the needy people the charity supports. In addition, the Good Hope FM (GHFM) team will part-take in activities such as sandwich making, packing nutritional boxes, crafting toys, collating educational books and posters and assembling mini edible garden kits. This initiative will impact 5 500 children at shelters, preschools, care centres and crèches in the disadvantaged areas of the Cape Peninsula.
GHFM will cover the event via an outside broadcast and on social media to create various PR opportunities.
Lotus FM
Lotus FM will assist St Monica’s Home on the Bluff, which is in dire need of assistance of food products, blankets, appliances and other essentials. The station has secured a sponsor for school shoes and mini donuts and will provide a jumping castle, popcorn and candyfloss for the kids. Furthermore, McDonald’s SA and Teserso have partnered to sponsor 125 meals for the children and staff.
The station will broadcast from the facility between 9am amd 6pm to create awareness on the work that the organisation does and how the public can assist with donating to ensure that the organisation remains operational.
Lotus FM will donate 67 sarees to the first 67 listeners who visit the home and donate to the facility.
Ukhozi FM
Ukhozi FM, in partnership with the Hollywood Foundation, will be visiting Uthingo Crisis Centre in the south of Durban, Msahweni area, on July 18. The home provides short- and long-term placement for vulnerable and abused children. It houses 15 kids.
Hollywoodbets will donate essential items, including blankets and linen for the dormitories, a four-plate stove, a fridge, plates, bowls, cutlery and urgent infrastructure repairs like fixing the leaking roof and gutters. It will also provide essential furniture and equipment, prioritising laptops and computers, as well as a deep freeze, lounge chairs, and tables for the children’s activities.
In addition to the donations, Ukhozi FM team will volunteer for face painting, making and preparing beds, cleaning the centre, painting the walls, preparing and serving lunch to the children.
The second initiative Ukhozi FM will be supporting is a blanket drive, in partnership with AmaZulu, on July 23. Ukhozi FM will be handing over donations that include 200 blankets from AmaZulu and other organisations to assist people affected by the tornado in Tongaat.
Both initiatives will be covered via live crossings on the noon to 3pm show.
Ligwalagwala FM
The station will join hands with Buscor in improving the condition of Sitfokotile Secondary School in Matsulu on July 19. The team will install new ceilings, paint classrooms and offices. The project is expected to start from 8am and continue until midday. The station will bring its talent to lend a helping hand.
The second day of community work will be in collaboration with Phakama Drop in Centre in Pienaar. The NPO has identified a community hall that is used by elderly people who meet daily to do handcrafts to keep themselves busy. The station, together with Phakama Drop-in Centre, will start the day by cleaning the hall. The station’s talent will be invited to cook and serve meals to senior citizens and orphans on the day. The station will extend an invitation to the SAPS to be part of the initiative, and also discourage criminal activities from taking place in the area.
Both initiatives will be covered on social media.
Ikhwekwezi FM
The station will use its platforms to invite various stakeholders to make a positive impact by donating blankets and non-perishable foods to Liberty Old Age Home which recently opened in Moteti, Limpopo. Listeners will also be invited to donate and drop off the items at Pastor Madzela and Pastor Happy Sibanyoni’s churches in Mpumalanga and SABC Auckland Park. The donated items will be handed over to the old age home on July 18. The Emtonjeni team will broadcast from the old age home.
The station has partnered with Qedukoma Drilling to do classroom renovations by painting and installing a ceiling at Ekukhanyeni Primary School, valued at R15 000, as well as installing tiles at Buthelelani Primary School, valued at R15 000. Lunch and refreshments to the value of R10 000 will be served to the pupils, parents and Ikwekwezi FM team. The initiative will take place on July 19.
On July 20, the station’s sports presenter McDonald “Big Mac” Mahlangu will do crossings from the Nelson Mandela Day Walk/Run taking place at Wanderers Stadium and some of the station’s talent will be part of the walk/run. The event is anticipating participation from 10 000 people.
Munghana Lonene FM
Ba-Phalaborwa mayor Merriam Malatji, in partnership with Standard Bank, invited Munghana Lonene FM to broadcast the 9am to noon show at its Mandela Day celebration, where they will be donating blankets in Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit.
The station has also partnered with Hollywoodbets and will be donating goodies to an orphanage in Giyani.
Both initiatives will be covered on social media.
Thobela FM
The station will be spending Mandela Day with The Mogaleadi Foundation, which is in partnership with Tangible Africa, Leva Foundation, and Nelson Mandela University for the Coding for Mandela Tournament.
The event will be at Solomondale Primary School in Sebayeng Township, Polokwane Rural, on July 18. The tournament aims to celebrate the recent amendment to the Department of Education’s curriculum, which now includes coding and robotics. The station will do crossings at the venue.
The second Mandela Day initiative will take place on July 20. Thobela FM will broadcast from Botlokwa with the John Morapama Foundation celebrating Mandela Day. Several business people and traditional leaders will be donating various necessities as part of the 67 minutes of doing good to the needy. Mandela Day celebrations will be at the Botlokwa Special School at Ramatsowe village and covered via an outside broadcast and social media.
Phalaphala FM
The station has partnered with Seta to host Mandela Day Career Expo at Tshivhase Secondary School on July 18 from 10am to 2pm. Six schools will attend the event.
As part of Mandela Month, Phalaphala FM has also partnered with businessman Berea Madzhonga to donate 150 foam mattresses to Tshilidzini Special School on July 31.
Motsweding FM
The station will be running an on-air and online campaign to make a meaningful impact in the lives of its listeners.
Introducing the “67 Minutes of Kindness” Radiothon, it will:
- Dedicate 67 minutes of airtime to inspire listeners to perform acts of kindness.
- Invite guests to share stories of kindness and community service.
- Encourage listeners to call in and share their own acts of kindness.
- Offer prizes for the most inspiring stories (station merchandise like T-shirts).
- Foster a sense of community by sharing stories and inspiring others to pay it forward.
The campaign will be aired on July 18, Mandela Day and will be promoted on social media, using #67MinutesOfKindness and #MotswedingFMCares.
The campaign aims to make a positive impact and showcase the station’s commitment to community service.
Lesedi FM
The station’s Mandela Day celebration on July 18, in partnership with Q&A Consulting aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by children with disabilities and the dedicated staff at the Nazarene Autism Centre while providing essential resources and support.
An outside broadcast from the disability centre will highlight the plight of the children and the remarkable work of the staff.
Q&A Consulting will provide necessary resources, which will be donated to the centre.
Channel Africa
Channel Africa has partnered with SABC CSI for 67 house-building projects led by Habitat for Humanity. The initiative will take place in various provinces, with Channel Africa covering the Gauteng leg.
Metro FM
Metro FM will embark on a Mandela Month Blanket and Soup Kitchen Drive. The station will be giving away more than 300 blankets to listeners in need this winter season, under the Metro FM Cares Initiative.
On July 18, the station will visit an elderly care centre in Jabavu, Soweto Home for the Aged. The home accommodates 80 elderly who have been abused, neglected and homeless and who live with a disability.
The station we will be serving at least 200 plates of pap and chicken stew on the day and will donate blankets. “Best Mornings” is driving the campaign and have given its a target of 300 blankets to mark 300 days of broadcasting.
RSG
ThesStation will support the SABC Sport Mandela Day walk on air on Saturday, July 20.
In addition, RSG will give exposure to many NGOs on Tuesdays and Thursdays; in support of the theme of this year’s Mandela Day – supporting communities.
5FM
In celebrating Mandela Day, 5FM, South Africa’s favourite youth radio station, joined the fight against hunger at Sandton Convention Centre on July 17.
The station supported Rise Against Hunger Africa – a charity that provided 5 254 598 meals to those in desperate need in 2023 – and broadcast the 5 Mid Mornings show with Stephanie Be and Yonaka live at the venue from 09h00 to 12h00 to raise awareness around the phenomenal work they do. All your favourite 5FM presenters and staff were on hand to help the charity with the packaging and supply of thousands of food packages.
5FM and Good Hope FM PCS Combo Business Manager, Masixole Mdingane, said: “In a world of abundance, way too many children, adults and elderly individuals have to go about their day without the most basic of nutrition, and it’s the whole 5 Nation’s responsibility and privilege to do whatever we can to help. Food insecurity not only threatens the health and well-being of communities but also hinders socio-economic development and perpetuates cycles of poverty, so it’s an honour for us to positively impact the communities we broadcast to, to get firmly behind this cause and make a practical, life-changing and possibly life-saving difference.”
It’s 5FM’s commitment to help those in desperate need, AMPLI5’ed!
The Star
Lebohang Sekete, SABC Internal Communications Manager