POTATOES SOUTH AFRICA SHARES FESTIVITIES WITH ORPHANAGE
In the spirit of giving back and providing hope to the children of South Africa, Potatoes South Africa has identified Thuthuzela Aid Community Centre in Alexandra township as the venue to culminate the #AmazambaneForLife campaign by hosting a Christmas party for the orphanage on 11 December 2020. The campaign aims to educate South Africans on the taste, versatility, value for money, and convenience of potatoes.
“A lot of families have to do more with far less as COVID-19 has exacerbated an already widening socio-economic gap. In light of the festive season that is now before us, Potatoes South Africa has decided to share this day with the children from Thuthuzela Aid Community Centre. Today is all about sharing joy and uplifting the human spirit, and through our #AmazambaneForLife campaign, we are hoping to show South Africans that potatoes are an affordable staple that offers a delicious range of cooking options for those festive holiday meals. This time of year is about being with our loved ones, and there’s no better sign of love than sharing a wholesome meal with friends and family,” says Immaculate Zinde, Marketing Manager at Potatoes South Africa.
The #AmazambaneForLife campaign saw Potatoes South Africa partnering up with various influencers, experts and opinion leaders in their field of work such as a dietitian (Ashleigh Solomon), economist (Sifiso Ntombela), foodie (Sithembiso Ndashe, founder of Ndash Food Concepts), and a mother (Joani Johnson, former Mrs South Africa) to highlight the top four attributes that South Africans look at when making purchase decisions relating to food and fresh produce. In a national study usage and attitudes study commissioned by Potatoes South in 2019, respondents expressed that in food and in potatoes, they want something tasty, quick and easy to prepare and versatile. With the current economic climate, it was only fair that the value for money attribute is brought to the fore as well to showcase that good and nutritious food can be accessed cost effectively.
“We would like to thank Potatoes South Africa for choosing Thuthuzela Aid Community Centre as a recipient. As an orphanage, we are reliant on grants and sponsorships to provide for the children. It is always so great to see the beaming faces of children as they feel loved and cared for. These sort of initiatives are also vital because they remind the children that they matter enough even to strangers,” says Elizabeth Monyela, Founder and Director at Thuthuzela Aid Community Centre.
“Potatoes have long been an important, cost-effective source of energy, nutrition and satiety in the South African diet. We are honoured that the Thuthuzela Aid Community Centre allowed us to share our compassion with the little ones while also celebrating the holiday spirit with them. As an industry, we are committed to ensuring that no South African goes to bed hungry and #AmazambaneForLife is us trying to inspire hope during times of crisis. The very essence of life comes from the heart. Afterall, what would the festive season be to food-insecure households without a sprinkle of love and acts of kindness?” concludes Zinde.
Thuthuzela Aid Community Centre and Potatoes SA would like to thank the following organisations and individuals for donating food and toys towards the Christmas party:
· Toys – Pink Drive SA
· Teddy bears – Cayla van Eeden (Miss Junior South Africa 2020 and Face of South Africa 2020, Monique Taylor, Mariska Smit
· Toys and soccer balls – Pageants SA
· Fruit and vegetables – Grow Fresh Produce Agents
· Cash donations – Thando Morabe and Tebogo Nare