Exhibitors and visitors at the Sign Africa and FESPA Africa Johannesburg Expo, taking place from 9–11 September 2025 (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) at the Gallagher Convention Centre, can support the FESPA Foundation. The Foundation, guided by ‘Print For Good’ is a global initiative dedicated to transforming the specialty print and visual communications industry through sustainable practices, community supply and educational outreach.
The FESPA Foundation aims to positively impact lives in sub-Saharan Africa by providing printed materials for early childhood development. The Foundation exists to combine waste reduction efforts with meaningful impact for young people living in challenging circumstances. The initiative was founded in October last year by FESPA CEO, Neil Felton.
How Can Exhibitors Help?
Maximise the impact of your print output during the show by participating in the ‘Print for Good’ initiative by producing items such as maps, T-shirts, backpacks etc. to enrich educational opportunities. Artwork files are available from the expo organisers.
Recognising the environmental challenges associated with large-scale events, the Foundation is leading an innovative project to repurpose print samples produced during the event. Instead of contributing to waste, these samples will serve meaningful purposes, such as:
– Educational posters: high-quality print samples will be delivered to schools in need, providing visual aids and resources for classrooms.
– Student clothing: T-shirts and other wearable items will be produced for underserved schools, offering practical benefits while demonstrating the versatility of print technology.
– Community resources: additional printed materials, such as banners or instructional guides, will be distributed to support local initiatives and community programmes.
How Can Visitors To The Expo Help?
The FESPA Foundation’s ‘Print For Good’ initiative represents a bold vision for the future of the print industry. By aligning sustainability, education, and community support, the Foundation is creating a powerful platform for change. As it expands its reach to South America, India, and Asia, and strengthens collaborations in Sub-Saharan Africa, the FESPA Foundation is poised to leave a lasting, positive impact on the global print community and beyond.
Team leader Steve Thobela ka Mdlalose is an experienced print business executive with knowledge of running non-governmental organisations (NGOs), having served as the CEO of Printing SA, and managed one of the Nelson Mandela charity organisations.
FESPA Foundation is inviting exhibitors and visitors to the exhibition to assist in the following manner:
– Maximise the impact of your output during the expo by participating in the ‘Print for Good’ initiative, producing clothing items that can be part of school uniforms or sporting activities (such as white/blue/grey shirts/blouses, grey/black pants school ties, socks and shoes) to enrich educational opportunities.
– Donate, books, notebooks, pens, art kits, reading glasses or school supplies, which will be delivered to the schools in need.
– Donate funds towards additional printed materials, such as banners or instructional guides to support local initiatives and community programmes.
– Cash donations are most welcome to help the Foundation purchase items such as a bakkie that is required to transport items to the schools, items for the renovations and to support the work of the Foundation.
For more details and how to donate financially please visit the Foundation’s website.
FESPA Foundation Creates A Brighter Future For Limpopo Primary School
The FESPA Foundation has made several visits to Malekapane Primary School in Limpopo, where they have identified various challenges faced, and how the foundation can help with these. According to Thobela ka Mdlalose, schools like Malekapane are often disadvantaged and underdeveloped. ‘This is where FESPA Foundation comes in,’ he said.
‘We will now be taking all the printed materials from the recent FESPA expo, held in Germany in May, to the school. We also continue to raise funds to build the kitchen and would appreciate the industry’s assistance. The idea is that this is not a once-off thing. We build a permanent relationship with the school, hence the programme where we ask larger companies in the industry to adopt the school for ongoing support.’
FESPA Foundation And Partners Make A Difference For Mandela Day
Thobela ka Mdlalose and his team, along with Printing SA’s Abisha Katerere and Jermaine Naicker, and Sign Wonder’s Justin Robert and his team, were at Batau Primary School on 18 July to do their part for Mandela Day.
The FESPA Foundation is calling for volunteers to get involved in uplifting one of its five partner schools:
– Evane Combine School in Dlomodlomo (approx. 100km from Vryheid).
– Malekapane Primary School in Limpopo (30km from Lebowakgomo).
– Pitseng ya Thuto Primary School near Lebowakgomo.
– Madesei Primary School near Lebowakgomo.
– Batau Primary School, approximately a 2-hour drive on Moloto Road towards Marble Hall.
Phase two will entail working with another charity organisation based in Malawi to build a school there. Phase three entails a similar approach as that in South Africa where the FESPA Foundation will support schools in Tanzania and Kenya.
FESPA FOUNDATION
https://www.fespa.com/en/about/fespa-foundation/
