Moolman Group made Christmas bright and beautiful with the annual Bags Full of Love initiative.
During the festive period children decked the halls of five shopping centres with their most jolly and imaginative Christmas decorations as part of the Moolman Group’s annual Bags Full of Love initiative.
Last year’s festive fun was created by 11 primary schools, hundreds of learners, and thousands of decorated Bags Full of Love – some 3,725 thousand bags to be exact.
Pigee Mathibela (centre manager for KG Mall) with Khetiwe Ngubeni, Doreen Zondo, and Thalitha Sihlangu the principal of Nkonjane Combined School; (front) Phungwayo Zondi, Mbelane Simphiwe Basebakhe, Zndile Ndlovu, and Surprise Mhlongo.
In the spirit of giving back to schools in the immediate communities of the shopping centres they own, Moolman Group ensured delivery of paper shopping bags, along with a donation of brand new stationery. This assisted learners to have fun and engage in creative learning to craft unique Christmas decorations for display in time for festive season shopping at selected centres in November 2016.
With the Bags Full of Love project concluding its fourth successful year, the shopping centres who participated in 2016 included Madelief Centre in Pretoria North, Magalies View Centre in Rustenburg, Cycad Centre in Polokwane, Lephalale Mall in Limpopo, and KG Mall in eMalahleni.
The joy doesn’t end at delightful décor though. To ensure a sustainable, long-term impact, Moolman Group requested a Santa’s wish list from each school detailing where new resources were most needed, from learning aids, to sports and lab equipment, desks and chairs, to computer upgrades and more – all to the benefit of the learners.
“We want to enrich the lives of children in our local communities. Education is vitally important in South Africa. We’re proud to help inspire a love of learning in children by partnering with local schools to create positive learning environments. Of course, an added bonus for us is being able to share the kids’ wonderful decorations at our shopping centres for everyone to enjoy,” said Pieter Lombaard, Moolman Group CEO.
Principal Raymond Mashaba, SGB Charipserson Themba Mandonsela, Pigee Mathibela (centre manager at KG Mall; (front) Mbali Mashile, Zandile Mahlangu, and Kethukuthula Pule.
To sweeten the deal and ensure as much fun as possible, schools also received ice cream vouchers from retailers to thank the children for their efforts in transforming local shopping centres into colourful, merry wonderlands. This is in addition to spot prizes for the three best decorated bags from each participating school.
“We are passionate about playing our part in securing a bright future for South Africa. Bags Full of Love is our way of spreading a little festive cheer in our communities, bringing smiles to the faces of our kids, and helping local schools function at their best,” said Lombaard.
