Pepkor has pledged R1 million to Lay-by Buddy – and I am inviting you to join us.

Whether you are a business leader or an individual, I challenge you to get involved. Every contribution – big or small – becomes part of a collective effort to make life a little easier for thousands of families.

Pieter Erasmus
CEO

A lay-by is a payment plan that allows customers to reserve an item – which is set aside for them in-store – while they pay it off in affordable instalments over four months.

Once the full amount is paid, the customer collects the item. It is an accessible, interest-free way for families to plan ahead and secure essential goods like clothing, baby items or school wear without needing credit.

For many South Africans, lay-bys offer a safe and dignified way to shop within their means.

Lay-by Buddy is not about charity. It is about community and dignity and enabling people to pay off someone else’s lay-by at PEP.

Born from a single act of kindness, the initiative has grown into a powerful way to lighten the financial burden on families across South Africa.

Whether you are contributing R20, R20 000 or R2 million, every donation goes directly towards settling a real lay-by – unlocking hope and relief for the families who need it most.

Since its launch in 2020, more than 46 000 families have benefited from the initiative.

The families who benefit from Lay-by Buddy are everyday South Africans doing their best to provide for their children, often sacrificing their own needs so their little ones can have the basics.

These are low-income households where lay-bys are a practical tool for managing tight budgets and accessing essential goods. The items being paid off are not luxuries – they’re school shoes, warm jackets, baby clothes and stationery.

By helping to settle these lay-bys, your support directly contributes to poverty alleviation, easing financial pressure and enabling families to face each day with dignity and pride.

It is simple to get involved.

You can contribute in-store or online. Each month, selected PEP lay-by customers will receive an SMS voucher to settle their lay-by, thanks to the generosity of donors like you.

Whether you are giving once or regularly, every contribution makes a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of families in need.

Should you have any questions, you are welcome to reach out to:

• Ian Nel – iann@pepkor.co.za
• Jared Henry – jaredh@pepkor.co.za
• Celeste van Tonder – celestev@pepkor.co.za