Johannesburg - With just a day to go for the 2016 Sun International CEO SleepOut, roads leading to the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Newtown have been closed to traffic to allow for preparations.
From 8pm last night, traffic coming into the Joburg CBD was diverted from Smit Street onto Queen Elizabeth Bridge, with traffic out of the CBD through Ntemi Piliso Street diverted from Carr Street.
Industry leaders are preparing to take over the bridge tomorrow night in a bid to raise money for three education-focused organisations.
The trustee of The CEO SleepOut, Darren Olivier, said the SleepOut was created to mobilise business leaders for social change.
“This year’s theme is ‘Rise to the Challenge’, and chief executives have been asked to bring three future leaders with them to spend the night outdoors, raise awareness and empathy for the homeless, and raise funds for education.”
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Brand South Africa plans to collect books for underprivileged communities during the SleepOut and has requested participants to bring two books and place them in the Library of Hope structure placed on Nelson Mandela Bridge.
Brand SA chief executive Kingsley Makhubela said: “We are hoping to collect more than 1 000 books during the evening of July 28. We will then distribute the books to needy schools.”
In return for bringing books, each chief executive will get a puzzle piece on which they will write a pledge showing their commitment to Play their Part, and when all the bosses have placed their pieces of the puzzle, it will make up the country's flag.
Read also: CEOs urged to ‘rough it’ for a good cause
Brand SA will also allow participants to earn virtual money through activities on the night.
THE STAR