Northam Booysendal carries on Madiba’s legacy through good deeds

LYDENBURG – This was also in answer to the call made by President Cyril Ramaphosa, for companies to step in and provide much-needed help to vulnerable communities during lockdown due to Covid-19. The mine management, led by Jack Selowa, the stakeholder engagement coordinator, brought smiles to the needy as they donated food parcels to more than 100 families in the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality. The mine also handed out face masks to the communities.

On July 16, the mine started with its first batch of donations. It handed out food parcels in Kiwi, Shaga, Bokhapane and Bosfontein villages. Gogo Rebecca Ratau of Kiwi was among the recipients; she ululated as she was given some groceries. “We thank the mine for rescuing us during these tough times. We will share this with our kids and grandchildren.”

Another recipient, Elizabeth Mankge, reiterated, “We are grateful for what the mine has done for our community. We have the neediest people in our area and we believe the food parcels donated today will assist our families in the upcoming months.”

On July 17, the mine management continued with these good deeds. They proceeded to Rooikrans, Choma Tribal Office, Protea Farm, Boshoek and Draaikraal, where they continued handing out groceries. The villagers were ecstatic to receive bags of maize meal, rice, cooking oil, veggies, packets of tinned food and many more items. Patrick Phetla, a community leader, told Steelburger/Lydenburg News that the food would last them for more than two months.

“We are thankful for what Booysendal has done for our people. They handed us proper food. We even received washing powder and bath soap. This mine really cares about the needs of ordinary people. Some of
our people did not have face masks and the mine helped them.” Kgoshi William Makua of Draaikraal applauded Booysendal for this good initiative. “We would like to thank you for the gifts. It is surely going to make a difference in our lives. We thank you for choosing our community and may God grant you more to assist other families.”

Speaking on behalf of the mine, Selowa said, “We are all affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown regulations, but we find it befitting to help our communities to ensure that our most vulnerable are provided for and protected during these difficult times.

“We believe in the importance of making a difference in the communities that we operate in, and this initiative also gives us an opportunity to strengthen the relationship with our key stakeholders. “We urge our locals to adhere to the lockdown regulations implemented by the government and to always maintain a good personal hygiene as advised by public health experts. “Booysendal indeed cares about the needs of our communities,” Selowa said.

During the donations, the recipients were sanitised and adhered to social distancing to ensure compliance of Covid-19 regulations. Selowa confirmed that all the families who were handed food parcels were chosen by the Mpumalanga Department of Social Development.

“We worked closely with a social worker, Anthea Ngomane, to choose the neediest families through their means test verification process.” He concluded, “All of us remember Madiba very fondly, so you can be sure Mandela Day will always be a big success and many of our less fortunate fellow citizens will benefit. At Booysendal, we will do whatever we can to show that we care for the many underprivileged families.”