As part of its ongoing Super Sun Super Together campaign, Super Sun hosted 50 young learners for a day of career guidance, inspiration and creative expression at the Thandanani Drop Inn Centre in Mamelodi, Pretoria. Powered by volunteers from within the Super Sun and Big Save ecosystems, the holiday programme focused on grade 8 and 9 learners from within the community, with the intention of ensuring they recognise their potential.
Excited learners from Mamelodi East gathered at the Thandanani Drop Inn Centre – ready for a holiday programme like no other! Building on the Super Sun Super Together campaign’s launch in August 2025, the children’s holiday programme represents the next phase of this purpose-led initiative – moving beyond immediate support to invest in long-term youth development and empowerment.
“Today’s programme was co-designed with the Thandanani and Big Save teams to create an immersive experience for the 50 grade 8 and 9 learners joining us,” explains Phumzile Nhlapo, Premier Senior Brand Manager: Maize, Breakfast and Pasta. “Each of them are moving into the next phase of their learning journeys – where they choose the school subjects that will potentially shape their futures. We combined career guidance, inspirational talks, skills assessments and creative expression in the programme to remind them of the wonderful world of opportunities that are available to them: keeping them motivated to pursue their dreams.”
The programme started with an inspirational session by local entrepreneur Portia Mokoena, the founder swimming school – Swima la Portia. After sharing her life story about pursuing her dreams, learners then moved into a session with the Fundi team; showcasing the free-to-use FundiConnect platform; geared to shaping their onward and upward career and tertiary study journeys. Fundi additionally sponsored FundiMatch assessments for the 25 grade 8 learners to assist them with their subject choices in the very near future. “FundiMatch offers a quick, easy and powerful way to equip learners with valuable insights into their strengths, interests and potential career paths that they are suited for,” explains Christine Beukes, Fundi Content Expert. “The assessments give young people tangible tools to make informed decisions about their educational and professional futures. This means that our 25 young learners from today are far more ready to make choices that will positively influence their futures.”
Other contributors included young entrepreneur from Vosloorus, Thokozani Sibeko, who started Flour to Dough Bakery to change his own circumstances – and those of others around him – through sheer determination and action. Hlakudi Malatji, the founder of MYDO Youth Empowerment Centre, spoke about the open future for these learners that lies ahead; showcasing the opportunities that organisations like his offer. Sagee Moodley, director of FutureBanker, went on to provide practical guidance on career choices, SETAs and internships; resulting in many excited questions about these alternative career choices and options. And this was just the beginning!
“This holiday programme embodies everything the Super Sun Super Together campaign stands for,” says Nhlapo. “We’re not just nourishing bodies – we’re nourishing minds and futures. These young people are the heartbeat of this community. By investing in their education, their confidence and their vision for what’s possible, we’re helping to build the foundation for generational change. When we empower youth today, we strengthen families and communities for tomorrow.”
Learners also heard directly from professionals working at Premier and Big Save, gaining behind-the-scenes insights into corporate, milling and retail careers – exposing them to opportunities they may not have previously considered. A specialist sports coaching team from Crawford also shared powerful exercises and tips on how to build “healthy bodies and minds”, reminding them of the power of team work on and off the field.
The day’s creative highlight was the Super Sun Super Together song competition, where learners worked in groups of five to compose and perform original songs celebrating what makes them “super” and what they can achieve “together”. Judged on criteria including creativity, musicality, teamwork, stage presence and overall performance, the competition reinforced the campaign’s core message about the power of collective action and community support.
“We’re incredibly proud to see the Super Together initiative evolving in this way,” says Dylan Jardim, Big Save: Head of Marketing. “This isn’t just about making donations – it’s about walking alongside Thandanani to create real opportunities. Our customers who purchase Super Sun at Big Save are directly contributing to programmes like this, where young people are equipped with tools, inspiration and confidence to shape their own futures. Every time Super Sun products are purchased at any of Big Save’s five stores, a portion of that purchase contributes directly to Thandanani Drop Inn Centre, that’s community building in action.”
“Days like this remind us why we do this work,” says Thabo Kgotsi, founder of the Thandanani Drop Inn Centre. “Many of these young people face significant challenges, but when they’re given opportunities to dream, to learn and to express themselves, you see their spirits come alive. The Super Sun Super Together campaign isn’t just supporting our centre – it’s directly investing in the futures of these children, and that impact will ripple through our community for years to come,” he concludes.