Beyond Productions

Community Projects

BEYOND PRODUCTION: IT'S A COLLECTIVE EFFORT

South Africa, as much as being a country alive with possibilities, is still in many ways beset by socio-economic differences. These differences are reflected in the growing divide between the rich and the poor. Magic Mountain Productions has made it a core value to bridge this gap and they consistently work into the poorer communities in Cape Town to achieve this goal.

One of the projects they support is Nolubabalo Educare centre in Site C, Khayelitsha (one of the poorer townships in Cape Town). This pre-school is run by Elsie Dyasi and has been in operation since 1992 when her mother first began it. This crèche has greatly improved the community as it keeps the little children safe in an environment where parental supervision is lacking and children roam the streets alone. At the crèche the parents know that their children are safe, that they are getting cared for, fed and educated.

It has been, and still is, a great struggle to keep this pre-school going, but thanks to the donations from clients and the money generated through productions that Magic Mountain ploughs back into the community, Nolubabalo Educare has come a long way. Elsie recalls the first time Magic Mountain came to the pre-school: I'll never forget it. It was a rainy day, not only outside but inside as well, because the water was running down the walls. I'm proud of you, Magic Mountain. I say thank God for you because you've changed my life. I get things now that before were too difficult to get like my new roof!

Her vision is to get a bigger piece of land on which to set up the pre-school with more outdoor play areas and a greater space for classrooms. She is continually striving to give the children a better education and to train the teachers as well. I don't get any money for it, but I do what I love.

Another way Magic Mountain Productions has tried to reach out and bridge the gap is through sponsoring individual children's education. Likhona Masika is one such child who began attending pre-school in 2005 and is now in Grade 2. She has benefited enormously from being able to attend quality city schools. She is doing very well and loves going to school!

Sponsorships are a great and easy way to making an immeasurable difference in the life of a disadvantaged child. Should you be interested in committing to sponsor towards a child's education or you wish to make a donation to their community projects, please contact Magic Mountain Productions offices at +27 (0)21 465 4143, or email Sabina at production@magicmountainprod.com.

We would like to thank the following people and clients for their generous contributions to the crèche and to Likhona's schooling: Magazine Eltern, Susanne Kreyenfeld, Thomas Kettner, Jobst Klose, Konen Bekleidungshaus, Therese Stuessel (Serviceplan), Malte & Ulrike Seekamp, Chicco, Deichmann, C&A, New Yorker, Sandra Seckinger, Bettina Lewin, Merle Rebentisch and colleagues from Gruner & Jahr, Christina Blum, Johanna Reinheimer, WDV / Anna Peisl.

MAGIC MOUNTAIN'S BEE TRAINING

Magic Mountain Productions runs a Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) Programme annually and this is their fourth year of training. At the moment Magic Mountain Productions is South Africa's only production company that offers such a service to the community and just less than 100 men have passed through their doors over the past four years.

SPORT - MAGIC MOUNTAIN FOOT BALL CLUB

Founded in 2005 as a means to keep the drivers busy when not working on jobs, the Magic Mountain Football Club has grown substantially. Based in New Crossroads, a township near the airport, the club now has three teams under the management of Mzolisa (Leonard): a first team, an under-17 team and a girls' team.

The Magic Mountain Football Club is not just for fun, it has a greater purpose: to keep the youth off the streets and away from crime. It is a way for them to release any pent up aggression through physical activity, and it is also a great facilitator for team building. Magic Mountain supports the team in every area: the Magic Mountain Productions Sprinter is used to transport the players to and from matches, we supply the players with their uniforms and some practice gear and anything else they might need, including cheering from the sidelines.

The club plays in a league and they also compete in weekly fixtures against many of Magic Mountain Productions' local suppliers, such as hotels and various car rental and lighting companies who have a social soccer team going. Through the club, the players are able to network with other men, to encourage each other and to form friendships.

The Magic Mountain drivers in the soccer team are often looked up to as role models. One such driver, Sizile Manono, has found himself in the role of counsellor to the younger players. These young boys are often seriously neglected at home, coming from very difficult family situations and Sizile has become someone they can approach with their problems and worries.

The FIFA World Cup is being hosted in South Africa in 2010 and it is an event that is being looked forward to, an event that is hoped will bring a nation together, as the 2006 World Cup did to Germany. With this in mind the Magic Mountain Football Club is playing a part in helping to alleviate poverty and apathy in the youth by using soccer as a driving force. These youngsters' skill with a football is amazing; these boys can really play! Maybe we see some of them in the 2010 team!

So when you are next in town for a job with Magic Mountain Productions, let us know if you would like to try out for the team or just stop by to watch a game or a practice session; training is a little different in Africa! Should you prefer to be a spectator, you can still contribute as we are permanently looking for second-hand soccer boots for the players. We'd like to thank Jobst Klose for his donation of boots and Thomas Kettner for his generous donation of T-shirts and soccer boots.