Dignitaries, beneficiaries, guests and members of the media joined in the glittering celebrations at the Sibaya Casino where the Sibaya Community Trust commemorated the milestone of spending over R250 million on philanthropic responsibility, recently.
Trust chairperson, Vivian Reddy and his wife, Sorisha Naidoo, were in good company as they celebrated the life changing amount that has gone towards bettering the lives of those deserving of the support. They were also joined by the Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, who was the keynote speaker at the event and other key stakeholders.
“We understand that by working together we can make a significant difference in the lives of masses. We have provided access to clean water, education, and healthcare to those in need. We have helped to build homes of safety, upgraded existing infrastructure and built new ones, we provided food security for families and saved the lives of a large number of children through cardiac surgeries. Our efforts have not only helped to improve the lives of the people we have served, but have also helped to create a more sustainable future for our communities,” said Reddy.
In celebrating the Trust’s achievement, Reddy also shared some stories of how fulfilling the work has been. “Our MADI programme saw us spend over R12 million to help learners in 11 schools achieve excellence in math and science, including upgrades to school infrastructure, teacher skills development, leadership and management skills for principals. This intervention raised the pass rate from below 30% to 85%,” said Reddy.
He further added that the Trust is building a community centre in Bayview, Chatsworth, and a boys’ home for Khulani Shelter. The property mogul said projects as such that will leave a lingering legacy that defines the stories of Sibaya Community Trust.
“These NPOs and NGOs are the backbone of our nation, working tirelessly to improve the lives of those around them, through our support, we have been able to empower them to make a difference in ways they may have never thought possible,” said Reddy.
He thanked the many people involved in these successes, such as the Trustees, Sibaya Casino management, contractors and project management teams and service providers.
“We will continue to do what is right, to empower and uplift those in need, to work towards a more just and equitable society and be a voice for those who are often left unheard,” said Reddy.
Minister Zulu said one of the ways of changing our society into a better version of itself is by starting to improve the future today. She said improving the prospects of the current generations of children and young people demands that we introduce them to their future today.
‘Investments such as those committed by the Sibaya Community Trust are practical translations of how young South Africans can be introduced to their future today. The child-and-youth focused development programmes that the Sibaya Community Trust has invested in will not only help to reinforce the realisation of the deliverables that are relevant to the Social Development portfolio, but will further serve as a key pivot with which a range of other community-targeted services can be strengthened,” said Zulu. She invited the private sector, civic formations, academic institutions and multilateral partners to join efforts to reinforce investments that the Sibaya Community Trust had directed to communities in the different parts of the province.
