Muldersdrift abuzz with positive energy

From knitting blankets and packing goodie bags, to painting schools and participating in a flash mob, Muldersdrift was abuzz with positive energy on Mandela Day.

Although this was the first year the country (and the world) celebrated Nelson Mandela’s birthday without him, the Madiba spirit was alive and strong across South Africa.

The day was commemorated with a host of activities in Muldersdrift, with many businesses and employees pledging their 67 minutes (and more) to making a difference in the community.

Here are just some of the activities that took place on the day:

The Muldersdrift Business Women’s Association spent the day at Heia Safari Ranch. Together with members and senior officers of the South African Police Service, they helped to pack goodie bags for abused children. Each bag was handmade and contained age- and gender-appropriate gifts inside.

If you were near Kloofzicht Lodge on Madiba Day, you would have heard the joyous celebrations. Hundreds flocked to the lodge to join a 67 minute flash mob routine. Those who took part paid a small fee towards the 4Change Foundation, an organisation that harnesses and guides talented individuals, helping them overcome challenges in their environment.

For every meal served at The Carnivore Restaurant on 18, 19 and 20 July, R2,50 was donated to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

Guests also had the opportunity to take a picture with the restaurant’s life-sized sculpture of Madiba.

40 volunteers from Tsogo Sun Silverstar Casino joined forces with the Kagiso community to better the surroundings of the Tsakani Primary School. Selected classrooms were cleaned and painted with materials that were donated by Silverstar Casino.

Glenburn Lodge dedicated their 67 minutes to unemployed families in their immediate community. For the past few months employees had been collecting cans of food, which were handed out on Mandela Day. Warm food also was provided for the community and cupcakes were delivered to the local police station.

The 67 Blankets for Madiba Day initiative recently was featured on Carte Blanche, and the team at Askari Game Lodge decided to contribute to this worthy cause. Staff knitted their squares for the charity blankets on Madiba Day, and they pledged to keep those knitting needles busy throughout the year with regular donations of blankets and scarves to surrounding orphanages, schools and charities. (If you would like to donate wool, contact Natasha van Rensburg on 014 577 2658.)

Finally, The Riverstone Lodge team could be found at Zandspruit, handing out soup and rolls to the community.

Sam Ngoma, spokesperson for the Muldersdrift Communication Action Group, said he was pleased to see the Muldersdrift community’s dedication to this important annual event.

“More importantly, many of these establishments said they will continue assisting the surrounding communities throughout the year. The spirit of Madiba exists not only on his birthday, but on every day of the year.”