• Education

Local malls care for their community

Mariselle Stofberg

As part of their ongoing commitment towards the Namibian community, Otjiwarongo Town Square, Rundu Shopping Mall and Gwashamba Mall, all managed and marketed by the Safland Property Group, handed over their annual Back to School donations earlier this year.

“Because Safland cares and would like to support the community, its marketing department hosts an annual Back to School competition on Facebook, which allows fans and members of the public to vote for the school they think deserves the donation. Following the pandemic and loss of many jobs across the country, it was noted from all schools that the donation was very timely and helpful,” said Maxine Rabe, the marketing manager at Safland.

Shoprite Namibia came on board with the campaign to increase the value of the respective sponsorships. Otjiwarongo Town Square handed over stationery, alcohol-based hand sanitiser and 100 reusable face masks, to the value of N$11 000, to Rogate Primary School.

Rundu Shopping Mall handed over stationery, alcohol-based hand sanitiser and 100 reusable face masks, to the value of N$11 000, to Nakazaza Combined School.

Gwashamba Mall handed over stationery, alcohol-based hand sanitiser and 100 reusable face masks to the value of N$11 000 to Oniipa Primary school.

Shoprite is the anchor at most of the Safland malls countrywide.

“It is a very special partnership when we get the opportunity to take hands with them on a project. Shoprite enabled us to increase the value of our total donation to the schools by means of sponsoring Shoprite vouchers. All the stationery for the donation was purchased at the respective Shoprite branches,” she said.

This was the first year that Safland solely donated stationery and purchased it from Shoprite. The previous years, they contacted the school to ask them for a “wish list” and items that were in dire need.

“Part of the responses we received previously included chairs, because three children had to share one chair. We were able to donated hundreds of chairs in the past. Donations have also included printers, fax machines, cupboards and cabinets, sports equipment and clothing,” Rabe added.

She further said that if these donations could make a difference in the lives of a few children, it was definitely worth the effort.

“The marketing team is very excited to continue taking hands with the community of Namibia and to have a positive impact where possible. This project was incorporated into the annual marketing strategy at each of the more rural malls, after identifying the huge need in local schools in the communities.

“We have a belief that investing in the community and the youth is investing in our future shoppers and employees at the malls. We will always try and maximise our community involvement wherever and whenever possible. Community projects are opportunity-based, and are reviewed every year with our new strategy compilation,” Rabe said.