08 APRIL 2024

Johannesburg – The 2024 Sasko Siyasizana initiative kicked off with a bang, with Sasko re-committing to changing the lives of more than five million South African children by 2030 with  their Play Better campaign.

The brand kicked off its playground handovers on the 15 March 2024 at Kgololo Academy in Gauteng and
the second handover heads to Umlazi township in KwaZulu Natal. Emthethweni Primary will be the second beneficiary of the campaign at a playground handover to take place on the 05 April 2024. The brand continues on its journey of positive play by changing the narrative about play and educating both parents and teachers about the benefits of Better-Quality Play on children. Emthethweni Primary school was nominated by one of Sasko’s loyal customers as a befitting beneficiary of the Sasko Siyasizana campaign.

The ‘Play Better’ initiative’s focus is to positively impact 5 million children at ECD and primary schools across the country by building new playgrounds and upgrading existing ones.

Leading by example and putting care into action, Sasko has reiterated the importance of living their ‘People Who Care’, Makes things better slogan. The Playground handover is a tool aimed at raising awareness about the importance of positive play and its benefits for children in communities especially  the poor ones with limited access to play arears.

The Initiative informed by insights contained in the 2022 Lego Play Well Report, reveals that the mental, physical, and emotional benefits of developmental and social play, at an early age,  can help reduce the prevalence and impact of low self-esteem and allow children to develop life skills, fostering better cognitive development.

Sasko marketing director, Nomsa Khanyile, highlighted Sasko’s commitment to impacting and contributing positively to young people’s lives from an early age as that is when children are the most vulnerable, but also the most impressionable.

“While our core business is selling bread, but it is equally important for us as a brand to collaborate with communities and plough into the very same communities,” says Khanyile.

“Gone are the days where everyone wants to blame our government, it is everyone’s responsibility to play a positive role in our communities and have influence. We at Sasko have rolled up our sleeves as one of South Africa’s beloved consumer brand by playing our part in improving these children’s lives. At Sasko, ‘care’ forms the basis of our commitments, and we always been committed to caring for South African communities.

“If we could all practice kindness and improve lives on a daily basis, our children will follow suit and they will learn that kindness isn’t the big things, but it starts with the little things” says Nomawethu Ngadlela, Sasko marketing manager, and asks: “Can you imagine the kind of loving communities we will have?”

“As a school we are excited and grateful to Sasko for continuously playing a positive role in our society. The playground will surely allow our kids to enjoying their break times and we are also elated with winning the R30,000 price money, which will be used to buy laptops for the school after our computers were stolen when the school was broken into last year. The school used to have teachers from surrounding schools and our kids take computer classes and I am happy that those days are coming back” said Sibusiso Makhoba – Principal of Emthethweni Primary School.

To participate, consumers must purchase any SASKO bread, buns, or rolls, scan the QR code or WhatsApp us on 068 746 2356 and nominate a primary school or day-care to receive a R10 000 playground upgrade and you could also stand to win R5000 in cash. Ts and Cs apply. SASKO. People who care make things better.