No longer forgotten: Sugar producing giant steps up to aid residents of Magweni

It was a day of great excitement for the poverty-stricken community of Magweni in Glendale as they received food parcels on Saturday, November 7.

Unemployed residents said the food parcels from Illovo Sugar were manna from heaven.

Resident Fuzail Millican, who lost his job at the beginning of lockdown, said he and his siblings have been surviving on anything that comes their way.

“In all the years that I have lived here, this small community seems to be the forgotten place because we have seen people handing over food parcels elsewhere but no one thought of coming to our area.

“I am really happy that Illovo has decided to include us in their plans,” said Millican.

The 29-year-old man said he used to work at a retail management company in Umhlanga before losing his job because of lockdown.

His family monthly expenses are about R6000 but because no one was working, they were struggling to support themselves. 

This community outreach project was initiated by Illovo Sugar Africa and received support from Illovo Sugar South Africa (ISSA), the Glendale Distillery, PV Transport and Unilever who all came together with the assistance of the experienced Domino Foundation.

Money and other items were donated that amounted to over R500 000 and filled a shipping container with food parcels.

Community leaders, employees and friends identified 500 households that had been severely impacted by job losses due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

Illovo Sugar Africa community service manager, Jason Baker, said he felt compelled to mobilise his peers to help these families.

“It’s through these kinds of partnerships that not only include the contribution of cash by the parties involved, but the sharing of skills and know-how that we can achieve so much more of a meaningful impact,” said Baker.