T-Systems South Africa, together with local athletics hero and 400m world record holder Wayde van Niekerk, have launched the Wayde Dreamer Foundation.
The foundation is aimed at setting up initiatives throughout South Africa that will enable and support young people to achieve their dreams by leveraging their talents.
Although athletics is a natural focus, the foundation seeks to benefit young people with a vast segment of talents. The overarching philosophy of the Wayde Dreamer Foundation is based on the integration of physical health, mental strength and spiritual balance, and the use of these elements to nurture talent.
Says van Niekerk: “A holistic approach based on strength of the body and the mind as well as spiritual grounding, have been instrumental to my success and I want to share that with other young people such that they can also achieve their own dreams sporting or otherwise.”
T-Systems South Africa formally pledged its support of the Wayde Dreamer Foundation at the launch event and unveiled the brand and logo for the foundation.
The company also recognised Wayde’s coach and mentor Anna Botha – “Tannie Ans” – by naming a new learnership programme, The Anna Botha Learnership Programme, in her honour. The initiative will focus on providing learnership programmes to disabled youth throughout South Africa.
“T-Systems has provided me with the platform on which to develop my own passion and dream,” Van Niekerk says. “Together, we aim to do the same for South Africa’s youth, encouraging dreams, identifying talent and developing them into actuality.”
Mpumi Nhlapo, head of T-Systems South Africa’s IT portfolio and solution sales, comments: “Wayde has not only made a difference in his sphere of athletics by breaking traditional barriers and setting new bars of excellence, but is also deeply passionate about making a difference that extends beyond his own physical capabilities. That’s what the Wayde Dreamer Foundation is all about. T-Systems is equally committed to effect real and tangible change beyond the services and products we offer, and, as founding partner of the Foundation, we will be helping Wayde to do just that.”
Gert Schoonbee, MD of T-Systems South Africa, add: “We are incredibly proud to be associated with an athlete whose achievements and goals are so aligned with our own. The Wayde Dreamer Foundation echoes our belief in investing in the youth of our country and in being in South Africa for South Africa. It is a natural progression of our nation building to back this initiative and throw our weight behind its inception.”
Wayde Dreamer Foundation to empower youth
