Wonga warming up winter
Wonga.com is quite literally ‘Knitting for South Africa’ this winter. The digital finance company is launching the Wonga Warmers campaign, aimed at spreading a little warmth across the country.
Wonga is working with a non-profit organisation Grandmothers Against Poverty & Aids (GAPA) to knit warm items of clothing which will be distributed to underprivileged communities around South Africa. In addition the company is calling for anyone wanting to get involved, to donate blankets, scarves and beanies which Wonga will then distribute. These can be dropped off at the Kaya FM offices in Johannesburg and the Heart 104.9FM offices in Cape Town throughout the month of June.
Winter is always a miserable time for the many underprivileged communities in South Africa, and we hope that we can at least make a difference to some people this year.” explains Kevin Hurwitz, CEO of Wonga.com SA. In one of Wonga’s television adverts, the character Felicia wears a hi-tech jacket which allows her to ‘knit for Africa’. Hurwitz explains that this was the stimulus for the CSR campaign, “In GAPA we found a group of real life ‘Gogos’ just like our Felicia and we are thrilled to be able to employ them for the month of June and at the same time create some warm blankets and clothing to give to those people who really suffer in the cold winter months.
GAPA consists of a group of inspirational women from Khayelitsha in the Western Cape. They are all the unlikely breadwinners in families affected and torn apart by HIV/Aids and poverty. They support and care for their orphaned grandchildren and others in their community. To find out more about GAPA, visit www.gapa.org.za
The Wonga television adverts contain three elderly characters who work at Wonga.com Headquarters. It was a concept that originated in the UK and proved so successful the idea was adopted globally. The elderly characters don’t beat around the bush – they’re ‘straight-talking’ just like Wonga.
“At Wonga we pride ourselves on being a truly customer-focused business and so we wanted to involve and engage our customers in this campaign as well as benefit some deserving charities”.
During the month of June, Wonga will also be handing out scarves at various intersections around Gauteng and the Western Cape. “All we ask is that if you happen to receive one of these scarves on your way in to work, please pass it on to someone who may need a bit of extra warmth” explains Hurwitz.
The rest of the country is also welcome to join the Wonga Warmers project by visiting Wonga’s Facebook page for all the details on how to get involved. Visit the Facebook page now.
