“Raising R4-million is a testament to Madiba’s ubuntu spirit imbibed by the sponsors and donors” From left: Producer Yashika Ramautar, co-host Shaastra Nagesar, principal Kola Govender, Breakfast Express host O’Neil Nair and sports presenter,Thobani Dlamini at the Seatides Combined School. Picture: Supplied
The Breakfast express team from Lotus FM raised a whopping R4-million through sponsorships for the rebuilding of the Seatides Combined School, which was badly damaged by a tornado recently.
The three-time community project of the year award winners, said the initiative was part of their "Making Lives Better" Corporate Social Investment (CSI) project.
“When we saw the extent of the damage at the school, and how adversely the learners would be affected, we decided to do a live broadcast at the school through our award-winning CSI campaign, Making Lives Better, as we commemorate Mandela Month. Raising R4-million is a testament to Madiba’s ubuntu spirit imbibed by the sponsors and donors,” said Breakfast Express host O'Neil Nair, who had identified the school’s need because of his passion for helping the community.
Producer Yashika Ramautar said the team chose to assist the school because they wanted learners to get back into class.
“We contacted the school principal, Kola Govender, in advance and made arrangements for sponsorships to be sent to the school. Before we could broadcast from the school on Friday, we had pre-promotions to get public awareness of the initiative. The principal had informed us that they were already sitting at R1.4 million in sponsorships on Friday morning, before our broadcast,” said Ramautar.
She added: “Our breakfast show is from 6am to 9am. In that time we raised money through our WhatsApp line, pledges, and physical donations, which brought our total to R4 million.”
Govender said the school was grateful for the sponsorship, “Learners, parents, staff and the governing body are thankful to the Lotus FM Breakfast Team for their efforts. One of the most surprising sponsorships that we are grateful for, which will be extremely beneficial to our school, was a sponsorship of R240 000 for a science laboratory from Kammy Reddy, who was contacted by the Lotus FM Breakfast Team. She is the Transformation Manager of Diebold Nixdorf in Johannesburg, and she even flew down on Friday to join the broadcast and to share the news in person.”
He added: “The priority for these funds will be to get the repairs and construction done to classrooms, so that they can be ready for learners as soon as possible.”