Tucked between rolling Sappi timber plantations and working farms, the Karkloof Valley is known for its trails, misty forests and deep sense of community. Each December, that community shows its heart in a very special way – through a Christmas celebration created for some of the valley’s youngest and most deserving residents.
Paid partnership with Sappi
For the third consecutive year, Foundation Phase learners from three rural schools – Triandra, Hawkstone and Yarrow – were treated to a day of festive magic. These schools sit on the fringes of Sappi plantations and neighbouring farms, serving families who live and work in the Karkloof Valley and whose children rarely experience the kind of celebration many take for granted.
The event was coordinated by Mary Gray (Yarrow School Project Co-ordinator) alongside Jessica Stubbs of the Absa Karkloof Country Club, who once again transformed an ordinary space into a joyful playground of colour, laughter and excitement.
Children rotated in small groups through a series of activity stations, each one designed with a single goal in mind: fun. Biscuit icing stations buzzed with concentration and sticky fingers, face painting sponsored by Sappi added splashes of colour and creativity, and jumping castles and outdoor games kept energy levels high, fuelled by ample amounts of popcorn and candy floss.
The highlight of the day, without question, was the arrival of Father Christmas. Welcomed by 115 voices singing “Woza Father Christmas!”, he handed out gifts sponsored by Sappi and local farming enterprises. For many of these children this may be their only Christmas present, a moment that quietly underscored the importance of the initiative.
Beyond the laughter and sugar highs, the impact ran deeper. Many parents work within the Karkloof Valley and deeply value the care, commitment and generosity extended to their children. It served as a reminder that rural communities thrive not only through industry and agriculture, but through connection, compassion and shared responsibility.
The Education Karkloof and Improve Karkloof initiatives underpin this shared responsibility, and are at the core of the Club’s social responsibility activities.
“At Sappi, we place importance on supporting the communities that live and work alongside our operations,” says Michelle Le Roux, Public Relations and Marketing Lead at Sappi. “The Karkloof Christmas celebration is a meaningful way to invest in local children and schools, and it aligns well with the Sappi Trails Programme, which is centred on shared access, responsible land use and positive community relationships.
“We are pleased to be involved in an initiative that brings together local partners to create a memorable and inclusive experience for young learners in the valley.”
In a landscape better known for trails, timber and tough climbs, this Christmas celebration offered a different kind of elevation – one rooted in joy, dignity and the simple power of showing up for the next generation.
