SleepOut partners respond to critics
BRAAMFONTEIN – CEO SleepOut partners call on critics to do more than criticise the event.
The 2016 Sun International SleepOut ambassadors and partners hit back at criticism levelled against the global philanthropic event.
Critics have taken to social media to lash out at the initiative, with Twitter users labelling it in ‘poor taste’ and more focused on glamorising poverty.
#CEOSleepOut2016 is a great initiative but implemented with poor taste – let's look at better & efficient ways for CEO's to spend CSR budget
— South African Heroes (@SA_Heroes) July 28, 2016
CEO are told 'enjoy tonight' as they glamourise poverty in #CEOSleepout2016 Shameful.
— TVwithThinus (@TVwithThinus) July 28, 2016
Speaking out on the criticism was Yusuf Ambramjee, ambassador for the CEO SleepOut, who explained that the initiative was doing much to publicise the plight of the homeless.
“This CEO SleepOut is ubuntu in action and to all those criticising it, the message is clear that we will continue to do good despite criticism,” Ambramjee said.
He added that a huge number of people had come out to support and raise funds for the needy, praising all those who were present and in support of the good cause.
Read: CEO SleepOut a huge success
Ambramjee’s words were echoed by Graeme Stephens, chief executive officer of Sun International, who highlighted that the initiative was never meant to solve all the problems.
“We understand that it’s just one night, but it’s all about raising and elevating awareness on this issue, and that is what is important,” Stephens stressed.
He also urged those that were critical of the initiative to rather focus on doing something to raise the plight of the homeless.
Adding to this was Kevin Fine, general manager of Jacaranda FM and a media partner of the event. “It’s all about being an agent of change and building local communities for the good and it’s being done through education, which is an important cause,” Fine said.
The 2016 Sun International SleepOut took place on 28 July on the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Braamfontein and saw business leaders, along with a colleague, student and pupil of their choice, spend a night under the stars in aid of charity.
