SA artist donates artwork to stop child hunger

South African artist Riaan van Zyl has donated an artwork to Stop Hunger Now Southern Africa (SHNSA), with the wish that the painting be given to a donor partner who has assisted the organisation in achieving its vision of stopping child hunger.

"Together with the artist, SHNSA has decided to offer this work as a gift to the Oceana Group in recognition of the organisation and employees' keen support during 2012," said David Jacobs, National Strategic Projects Manager of SHNSA.

Van Zyl, who is originally from Cape Town, also requested the artwork be donated to a donor from his home town, making Oceana the ideal candidate to be honoured given its donation of canned fish from its Lucky Star range of products and funding to the value of R175 000, together with support in identifying suitable beneficiaries. Oceana employees assisted in packing meals at five meal-packaging events, as well as the distribution of meal packs.

People struggling to put food on their tables

The Oceana Group's CEO, Francois Kuttel, said: "The group's commitment to communities is enshrined in its corporate values, which state that Oceana views itself as an integral part of the communities in which it operates. We strive to enhance the positive impact our businesses have in the communities in which they operate and we accept our responsibility to support local initiatives that benefit the broader community."

Kuttel added: "By supporting Stop Hunger Now, we have an opportunity to contribute towards alleviating the plight of people struggling to put food on their tables amidst present economic and social conditions. It gives us great pleasure that the group's commitment to sharing its value and investing in the communities in which it operates is being acknowledged. Oceana and its employees have thoroughly enjoyed the partnership with Stop Hunger Now Southern Africa, especially given the organisation's model of involving donors in its efforts."

CSI worth R5.2 million

Communities in which Oceana operates received R5.2 million in corporate social investment (CSI) through the Oceana Foundation during 2012, impacting some 179 000 people. The Oceana Foundation was launched in 2012 to channel funding for CSI projects in an integrated manner, increasing the group's ability to effect meaningful change. Its key focus areas are food security and education. Annually a target of 1.1% of nett profit after tax is directed towards CSI initiatives.

Entitled Tokyo, Van Zyl's work is from a series of paintings and sketches of township scenes, each bearing the name of an international city. Other works in the series are Jerusalem, Barcelona, Las Vegas, Bangkok and Sao Paulo. The artwork comprises three panels of 180cm by 120cm and is an oil charcoal on canvas.

The painting was handed over to Oceana's Group's strategic services director, Lea Conrad, by Van Zyl and Jacobs, and will be given pride of place at Oceana House on Cape Town's Foreshore.