This week I had an opportunity to see corporate responsibility at its best. Henkel South Africa, who has a branch in Alrode, celebrated the fifth year of their sponsorship of the Tamaho children’s centre.
As a councillor I see the need of the people on a daily basis, I am also very conscious of the fact that Government has not been able to address many of these needs, one of them being early childhood development. I cannot stress the importance of early childhood development enough, giving our children a good start in their academic and social lives.
Children have to learn the skills needed to become upstanding members of society and their first five years are probably the most important because they will learn more in those five years than they will for the rest of their lives.
Being able to take part in a celebration of a unique partnership between business and the community re-affirms my choice of career.
I believe in an open opportunity society for all, where young people can strive and fulfil their potential through hard work and dedication. I don’t like the word “deserve”, we don’t deserve our place in the world, rather we earn it. It is initiatives such as the one that Henkel has sponsored that highlight the difference between a “deserving” mindset and a working one.
They have committed themselves to helping a community but only if the community commits itself to helping itself. By becoming involved and assisting with programmes and campaigns and most importantly to be accountable for the education, environment and upbringing of their children.
Everyday I ask myself “what opportunities have I created for my community today?” “What am I doing? And what example does it set?” By opening doors for others I know that doors are opened for me.
My growth is dependent on the growth of the people around me and it is my choices that are the greatest influence. I choose to believe in the future of my country and like Henkel, I choose to be a part of creating that future, the question is, “what do you choose?”
