Corporate Social Responsibility

Hyprop Foundation Launches Charity

August 21, 2025 by Denise

Hyprop Foundation Launches Charity Drive Honouring Nicole Greenstone’s Life, Supporting Animal Welfare

Initiative Aims to Celebrate Nicole’s Legacy through Community Action and Compassion for Animals.

The Hyprop Foundation’s Warm Woodrock charity drive is currently underway, calling on the public to support animal welfare in loving memory of Nicole Greenstone. Nicole, a cherished colleague and friend, passed away in August 2024. She is remembered not only for her professionalism and warmth but for her profound compassion for animals, which has shaped her life.

This initiative, established by the Hyprop Foundation, was created to keep Nicole’s legacy alive by supporting animal shelters that reflect her values. With this in mind the foundation’s Warm Woodrock project will support Woodrock Animal Rescue, a Gauteng-based shelter known for its hands-on approach to animal care, rehabilitation, and rehoming.

Running until the end of August, the drive invites the public to donate blankets, pet food and essential supplies for dogs, and cats. Branded collection bins are located at five Hyprop shopping centres: Hyde Park Corner, Clearwater Mall, Woodlands Shopping Centre, The Glen Shopping Centre, and Rosebank Mall.

“Our goal is simple,” says Leonie Prinsloo from the Hyprop Foundation. “We honour Nicole by championing a cause she held close to her heart, giving vulnerable animals a second chance at life. Nicole’s compassion was a beacon of hope for both people and pets. By participating in this initiative, you can turn her legacy of kindness into real, life-saving action.”

Each centre is also hosting a live caricature artist on select weekends. Visitors who drop off donations receive a free, personalised sketch of themselves and their pet, a small thank you for helping make a difference. Upcoming caricature artist appearances include 16 August at Clearwater Mall and 23 August at The Glen Shopping Centre.

“Nicole poured her heart into helping those who needed it most, especially animals with no voice of their own, adds Prinsloo. “By supporting Warm Woodrock, you honour Nicole’s legacy and give hope and a future to animals in desperate need. Help us give animals the love and care Nicole gave so freely. Your support truly makes a difference.”

Woodrock Animal Rescue, established in 1992, is one of South Africa’s oldest independent pro-life animal shelters. It is home to hundreds of rescued animals and relies entirely on public support to operate. The partnership with the Hyprop Foundation brings much-needed supplies, awareness, and funding to its mission.

Donation guidelines and a QR code linking directly to Woodrock’s website are available at each collection point, offering digital options for those unable to donate items in person.

The Hyprop Foundation, Hyprop Investments’ Corporate Social Investment arm, is committed to making a meaningful impact in the communities surrounding its shopping centres. The Hyprop Foundation focuses on education and skills development, community upliftment, and enterprise development, and strongly believes in building a better future by investing in people, places, and the planet. Warm Woodrock is a testament to the Hyprop Foundation’s commitment to making a real difference. Partnering with Woodrock Animal Rescue brings its value of compassion and community to life.

Join us in honouring Nicole’s legacy and making a real difference for animals in need. Visit any participating Hyprop retail centre or scan the QR code at donation bins to find out how you can support Warm Woodrock.

Growthpoint brings warmth and dignity to Tembisa learners

June 17, 2025 by Denise

Growthpoint and Threads for iKasi partner bring warmth and dignity to Tembisa learners

Empowering young futures through staff-led community engagement

Growthpoint Properties (JSE: GRT), in collaboration with the non-profit organisation Threads for iKasi Foundation and on behalf of its employees, has donated 50 full winter school uniforms to learners at Ikusasa Comprehensive School in Tembisa, Kempton Park. The handover ceremony, held at the school on Friday 23 May 2025, showed the spirit of employee-driven social impact.

Each complete uniform package includes a jersey, drymac, trousers with shirt, shoes, socks and a winter beanie. These donations are part of Growthpoint’s G² (Growthpoint Gives) programme, which enables the company’s team members to actively participate in upliftment efforts in their own communities.

Ikusasa Comprehensive School is a beacon of resilience and academic ambition in the Tembisa community. With a consistent rise in matric pass rate, increasing from 77.1% in 2021 to an outstanding 95.8% in 2024, the school aims to achieve a 100% pass rate and a 75% Bachelor’s pass this year. Together with its strong academic programme, Ikusasa promotes holistic development through arts, sports, culture and active social awareness campaigns around bullying, substance abuse and health.

The school currently supports many vulnerable learners, including eight child-headed households and 47 orphans. It faces infrastructure challenges and requires greater access to educational resources, technology, and classroom upgrades.

“We are incredibly touched by the generosity of Growthpoint and Threads for iKasi,” says Principal Gladwell Makhoba of Ikusasa Comprehensive School. “These uniforms mean so much more than just clothing – they restore dignity, boost self-esteem, and remind our learners that they matter. The support we’ve received sends a powerful message: our children are seen, they are valued, and they have a community that believes in their future.”

Threads for iKasi, with its mission to create environments where no child is left behind, has successfully rolled out similar initiatives in over a dozen schools in Tembisa. Its model is grounded in restoring dignity through educational support and ensuring that learners are equipped not just academically, but emotionally and socially.

“For me, a school uniform has always meant more than just clothing — it’s a sense of pride, a feeling of belonging, and a quiet promise of potential,” says Khabo Mnguni, Co-founder of Threads for iKasi. “Growing up in the township, I saw firsthand how something as simple as a uniform could change how a child saw themselves. That’s why this mission is so close to my heart. Our partnership with Growthpoint is a golden thread of care, stitched into the futures of these learners. It’s about more than just warmth and appearance — it’s about dignity, confidence, and showing our children that they are seen, supported, and worthy.”

This contribution reflects the heart of the G² programme, which encourages Growthpoint’s staff to lead with empathy and impact.

Shawn Theunissen, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Growthpoint Properties. “A Growthpoint team member introduced Threads for iKasi, which brought Ikusasa’s needs to our attention, and we are proud to support their call. In addition to providing vital warmth for children in winter, the initiative is also affirming dignity and supporting learners to focus on their education without unnecessary hardship.”

Growthpoint Properties’ CSR approach is rooted in its commitment to responsible corporate citizenship. Through G², every employee also receives eight hours annually to participate in volunteer activities, making social impact a shared value across the organisation.

“We believe that corporate responsibility lives not just in boardrooms but in every hand helping,” adds Theunissen. “This donation is one small part of our broader commitment to our employees, their communities and to education. We believe that partnerships with educators will yield positive results towards our shared vision of building a better life for all.”

Growsmart Celebrates Top Learners at 2024 Finals

October 9, 2024 by Denise

Growsmart Educational Programme Celebrates Western Cape’s Top Learners at 2024 Finals

Cape Town, 09 October 2024 — The Growsmart Educational Programme, an initiative by Growthpoint Properties, celebrated the brightest young minds in the Western Cape at the pinnacle of its annual competition season. The final event took place at The Lookout, V&A Waterfront, where top-performing learners in literacy, mathematics, and story writing were honoured.

Launched in 2010, Growsmart is a nationally and internationally recognised initiative fully endorsed by various Education Departments and serves as the flagship programme of the Western Cape Department of Education. This impactful programme aims to enhance educational outcomes in underperforming schools by engaging learners in grades 4, 5, and 6 through a dynamic, curriculum-based competition. Focusing on literacy, mathematics, and story writing, Growsmart helps intermediate learners improve critical academic skills while fostering creativity and problem-solving abilities.

2024 Western Cape Competition

The 2024 competition kicked off in April, with schools from districts including Cape Metro and West Coast District participating. Following multiple rounds and semi-finals, the best 15 learners in literacy and mathematics and 10 learners in story writing advanced to the final competition.

In the Literacy Competition, the 15 finalists were selected from 327 participants and tested on their ability to spell, define, and use words in sentences, alongside their understanding of verbs, nouns, idioms, and adjectives. The winners are:

1st Place: Delft South Primary School
2nd Place: Teske Primary School
3rd Place: Dagbreek Primary School

This marks Delft South Primary School’s second consecutive win, earning the school an iPad Lab valued at R350,000, further enhancing its learning resources.

In the Mathematics Competition, 15 finalists out of the 321 participants tackled questions ranging from BODMAS to problem-solving and mental maths. The winners are:

1st Place Idasvallei Primary School

2nd Place Diazville Primary School

3rd Place Eikendal Primary School

The Story Writing Competition is a project-based, mentor-led event in which learners

submit their own original written stories. Nearly 166 storybooks were submitted. The

winners are:

1st Place Tuscany Primary School, Olwam Sondlo

2nd Place Helderkruin Primary School, Sobo Ndongo

3rd Place Kenmere Primary School, Jordan Theart

Most Creative Kenmere Primary School, Kylah Simons

The winning schools were awarded prizes to further support their educational efforts and enhance their students’ learning experiences.

Inspiring Future Leaders

Jewel Harris, Founder of Growsmart and General Manager of Growthpoint Properties Cape Town, applauded the dedication and talent of this year’s participants. “Congratulations to everyone who took part in this year’s interactive programme. It has been more focused, relevant, engaging, and innovative than ever before. Well done to the winning learners, mentors, and schools.”

Shawn Theunissen, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Growthpoint Properties, echoed these sentiments, adding, “The winning learners and mentors represent the leaders of tomorrow and today. We’re incredibly proud of them all. Investing in positive social impact across the entire education value chain not only transforms lives today but also shapes future generations.”

A Platform for Continued Success

Beyond the competition, Growsmart provides learners with additional opportunities through the Growsmart Bursary Programme, supporting their ongoing educational journey.

As Growsmart concludes its fifteenth year in the Western Cape, the programme continues to expand its reach and impact, celebrating growing successes in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo. Growsmart remains dedicated to creating educational opportunities that empower communities and foster future global citizens within a more inclusive society.

Guests were greeted with a complimentary coffee generously sponsored by Vida e Caffè and served with a smile by their friendly baristas.

Congratulations to all the Western Cape winners!