CEOs overwhelmed by sleepout experience
Business leaders slept on the streets of Sandton last night to raise money for Girls & Boys Town.
JOHANNESBURG - South African business executives who participated in the 702 International CEO Sleep Out initiative said they had been overwhelmed by the experience which aimed to raise awareness about the plight of people living in poverty.
The business leaders slept on the streets of Sandton last night to raise money for Girls & Boys Town.
A business executive said he was humbled by the experience.
"It grounds me when I have to experience what they experience every day."
The country's top decision makers braved the cold winter evening and swapped their beds for the concrete pavement along Gwen Lane.
The CEO of Lonmin Ben Magara says the country's corporate sector must play its part in eradicating the country's endemic poverty.
"It's such a good cause and I felt it's an opportunity for people who have had the fortunes like we have to have a chance to give back."
The head of KFC Doug Smart said he was honoured to have been part of the initiative.
Most CEOs say while sleeping out was not a walk in the park, they would do it again for the underprivileged.
Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau said he was excited to be part of the initiative and to lend a hand to those less fortunate in society.
Tau joined more than 240 CEOs.
He said such initiatives should be expanded across all provinces.
"I think we should mobilise as many people as possible, particularly senior people in our society, captains of industry and leaders in the public service to contribute in their own way, particularly in the major urban centres."
Some CEOs called on other corporate executives to follow suit and help those in need.
The CEOs said South Africans should start adopting a culture of giving.
"Apart from CEOs experiencing the pain that people experience, the money that's going to be raised is going to a very good cause," said one businessman.
"I think it's a wonderful event, and I think it's extraordinary the amount of money that's been raised," said another.
