Transforming Dreams: Upgrades at a Cape Town Pre-school

A Cape Town pre-school was blessed with funds and resources to continue providing quality early childhood education, with a specific focus on supporting vulnerable children. 

Stepping Stones Children's Centre, a non-government organisation, adjacent to the District Six Museum, celebrates its 50th anniversary next year.

The centre was nominated by consumer Khanyisa Zali, who had no prior affiliation with it, by submitting its name and profile to a collaborative competition involving a local radio station’s 16 Days for Youth Project and the My Jive, My Hood initiative run by a local beverage company.

His nomination successfully secured R100 000 in support for the centre.

Runners-up such as the Langebaan Animal Centre, Butterfly House, Community Action Partnership, Dews of Quietness, and Bright Stars Safe Home each received R10 000 to help fuel their community missions.

Centre operations manager Rochelle Fleshman said they were humbled and grateful to the cold drink company and radio station for being a part of the programme, for what was done and would be done at the school.

She said that as a non-profit organisation, funding was always something that they struggled with.

Ms Fleshman said the two companies' contribution was "like a wand that they waved and made things happen, things that we needed, things that we wanted, and now it's happening".

The sponsors visited the school, where the school showed what they did with the funding on Thursday, July 24.

Ms Fleshman welcomed the sponsors to their school, which she called a "little gem of a school".

"We've got a reputation of being a school of excellence in terms of what we offer to children. We offer quality, good early childhood education," she said.

They follow an anti-bias curriculum and are inclusive.

"No child is left behind and is not included in our curriculum at our school," she said.

They were able to fix pipes in the kitchen; install kiddies size toilet bowels; paint murals; furnish their reading corners with ottomans; got a printer; a boom box; a shopping spree at a retail store specialising in plasticware and household products to buy education toys puzzles, paints, glues; a pupils' visit to the aquarium on Monday July 28; and their Grade R pupils will be visiting the science centre next month.

Niyaaz Hendricks, brand marketing and trade execution manager of the beverage company, said they were rooted deeply in the Western Cape and that through brand champions in community development, they were empowering youth and backing local initiatives through ongoing sponsorships.

The My Jive My Hood initiative, launched in October last year, was to boost beverage sales and uplift communities, featuring a pioneering two-phase competition. Consumers first shared bold ideas on how they would improve their neighbourhoods if they were “Mayor of their hood.”

Six finalists were selected for their potential impact and diverse backgrounds, becoming passionate ambassadors who campaigned actively for community votes.

Radio presenter Lunga Singama offered heartfelt thanks to the beverage company for a decade of powerful partnership, stressing the importance of ongoing support for youth-led projects that foster sustainable change.

“This is exactly the vision behind the 16 Days for Youth Project, and seeing such ongoing work is truly inspiring,” he reflected.

Another R100 000 generated by a golf day organised by the beverage company was added to next year's 16-days for youth project.