On Tuesday, 5 August 2025, Lakeside Mall reaffirmed its commitment to the community by hosting the “Heart of Gold Sassa Day” initiative, an event dedicated to honouring pensioners with warmth, care, and essential health support during the chilly winter season.
In partnership with key tenants including Dischem, Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Clicks, MTN, and Family Life Style, Lakeside by Mall welcomed pensioners with free servings of soup, bananas, coffee, and tea. These gestures, while simple, brought immense joy and comfort to many who had arrived early to collect their SASSA payouts.
Shoprite made generous contributions by donating tea, coffee and chairs to accommodate the elderly while they waited. Clicks went a step further by offering complimentary health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and HIV. Nurse Practitioner Amanda Solomon from Clicks shared her motivation behind joining the initiative:
“We were approached by the mall’s marketing manager to be part of an appreciation event for pensioners. We believed they were most deserving and provided free Aveeno lotion and foot cream samples. Thanks to GlucoCheck, we were also able to donate machines to pensioners with uncontrolled diabetes and guide them on managing their condition more effectively.”
One such beneficiary, Nelisiwe Sibanyoni from Daveyton, expressed heartfelt gratitude:
“I’m happy that I received this machine. I will now be able to monitor my sugar and high blood levels from home. Thanks to Clicks and Lakeside Mall.”
Family Life Style donated paper cups to help serve beverages, while MTN introduced an exciting promotion, pensioners who spent R50 on airtime at Shoprite or Pick n Pay stood a chance to win a trolley dash valued at R1,000. Dischem also offered vital health screenings by the Pick n Pay side on the day.
The initiative was especially meaningful for pensioners like Anna Nyofane, 65, who shared her appreciation:
“It’s been 5 years of me getting my SASSA money here at Pick n Pay and I’m extremely happy with their services. We’re warm, we sit comfortably, and we’re cared for with food and tea. There’s no better mall than Lakeside.”
Pick n Pay cashier Nomagugu Mazibuko echoed this sentiment, highlighting the emotional connection between staff and the elderly:
“Most pensioners come here without having eaten, relying on these meals. It brings me joy to see them comfortable and taken care of.”
Lakeside Mall remains proud to provide more than just a retail space it’s a place of community, dignity, and heartfelt care.
