CEO SleepOut is ‘ubuntu in action’

A homeless woman navigates her way off Nelson Mandela Bridge with all her free gifts bundled into a sleeping bag on her head, all proceeds from the CFO Sleepout charity event held on Nelson Mandela bridge ti highlight the plight of the homeless. Picture: Antoine de Ras, 29/07/2016

A homeless woman navigates her way off Nelson Mandela Bridge with all her free gifts bundled into a sleeping bag on her head, all proceeds from the CFO Sleepout charity event held on Nelson Mandela bridge ti highlight the plight of the homeless. Picture: Antoine de Ras, 29/07/2016

Published Jul 29, 2016

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Johannesburg - A sickle moon in the dark sky and the rumble of trains beneath the Nelson Mandela Bridge, rather than the usual warm bed and suburban birdsong, greeted waking bodies at this year’s CEO SleepOut.

Read also: 'Best night' for CEO SleepOut

The biting cold of inner-city Joburg welcomed more than 800 business leaders and their colleagues, who last night experienced what it was like to sleep on the streets.

They had faced the elements to raise funds for education to eradicate homelessness.

The mood during the night was buoyant, even though many of the participants did not close their eyes. Between the tin shanties that lined the bridge for services and donation collections, campfires drew circles of strangers together; many chatted all night.

Clothing handed in on arrival was placed on hangers and will be made available to 1 000 homeless people being given a hot meal by Gift of the Givers.

At midnight, Braamfontein echoed with the sounds of Ladysmith Black Mambazo as they sang Homeless. The sleepy crowd ululated with the band before rolling out their sleeping bags and crawling under the makeshift cardboard box shelters.

In addition to donations of blankets and clothing, more than R31.5 million was raised through pop-up funding during the night, over and above the R160 000 each chief executive contributed. Last year's event amassed R26m.

Former minister Tokyo Sexwale and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan addressed the crowd in the sub-zero hours and Sexwale announced he would host next year’s SleepOut on Robben Island on Mandela Day, July 18.

“There are three types of people in the world - those who do nothing, those who criticise and those, like you, who take action,” he said.

Premier David Makhura last night said he was mindful of the criticism the event received.

“Many think to bring about change is to criticise from a very comfortable sideline,” said Makhura.

Yusuf Abramjee, the chief ambassador for the SleepOut, said the event was supported by at least 41 companies in Gauteng, 10 colleges and universities and 60 schools.

“This is ubuntu in action. We have one loud and clear message to the critics: we will continue doing good and nothing will stop us from going forward. We are committed to taking the CEO SleepOut to other parts of Africa.”

Reunert’s chief financial officer Isaac Motale said South Africa could be exceptional.

“Raising R25m is an amazing thing. Most of the country’s leadership is here and even though we are privileged, we get to experience what many ordinary and less fortunate people experience every day,” said Motale.

The chief financial officer of Sun International, Anthony Leeming, said he was excited to be there and the SleepOut was a good occasion to enjoy the spirit of doing good.

“It is great to interact with people and enjoy the camaraderie of what you can do and do differently.”

A group of gogos sat knitting, encouraging guests to knit a square to earn virtual money which participants then used to buy soup and sleeping bags. Corporates and non-profits were represented and Brand SA managed a book donation stand.

The Star collected blankets which were handed out this morning by Gift of the Givers.

THE STAR

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