‘It only takes 67 minutes to make a huge difference’
Personnel from Northern Media Group (NMG), Progress Milling, Sunbake and the Westenburg police handed out soup, bread and food parcels to the residents of Disteneng. Review asked the volunteers what they thought the purpose of Mandela Day was.
POLOKWANE – In just a few minutes, a big difference was made in the lives of residents of Disteneng when personnel from Northern Media Group (NMG), Progress Milling, Sunbake and the Westenburg police handed out soup, bread and food parcels.
Review asked the volunteers what they thought the purpose of Mandela Day was.
NMG electronic compiler, Thabo Thema, said it was all about carrying on from where Nelson Mandela left off. “He has given so much to us in dire times and now it is our time to carry the torch and carry on his legacy by giving back to those who are in need, and by so doing his legacy continues,” Thema said.
Review electronic supervisor, Marietjie Pretorius and Review classifieds supervisor, Cathrine Robberts, said Mandela Day was about helping the underprivileged.
“We give 67 minutes of our time to help others because we want to and because we are privileged to be able to help, like today with soup and bread. Nelson Mandela meant a lot to us and we wish he could still be with us today,” Pretorius said.
Review accounts supervisor, Karen Morgan and NMG debtors clerk, Aubretia Solomon said Mandela Day was all about making a difference in someone’s life, which included children, adults and the elderly.
Anthony Alberts, general manager at Progress Milling in Polokwane says it was important that Mandela Day was observed as it brought people closer and when people give to others they learn the meaning of giving.
“You get to see the other side of your own world. When you are in a position to give you get to see the need of the people you may not get to deal with everyday. This gives a person a balanced perspective on life and on the needs of your fellow man,” Alberts said.
Westenburg police spokesperson, Capt Mohlaka Mashiane, said handing out food to the people of Disteneng was a wonderful idea. He said it was a relief for many of them, who had gone to bed hungry the previous night.
“They can rest tonight with a full stomach and we have to try and do more of these events to help the needy people,” he said. WO Henderik Williams said unemployment often made people turn to crime just to get some food for their families. He said by giving out food to the needy on a regular basis, crime would also be reduced.
“Many people live in extremely harsh conditions so the food we are giving to them today puts a smile back on their faces,” Williams said.
Review also spoke to Sunbake Polokwane to hear what they had to say as co-sponsors of giving 67 minutes of Madiba Day for the residents of the Disteneng Settlement just outside this city.
Louis Woller, sales manager at Sunbake Polokwane, says it was an honour to be associated with Review and Progress Milling and to help the needy. He added it was a wonderful way to spend 67 minutes for Madiba Day by bringing some sort of relief. He and Sunbake as sponsors would surely like to be involved again in such a charity cause.
Naomi van Dyk, transport administrator at Sunbake Polokwane, said it was amazing to be able to help people, yet quite emotional for her to witness the poverty among the Disteneng residents. She says especially the children touched her heart. “I did not realise there were so many poor people residing in Disteneng, it made me very emotional and made me realise how much we have to be thankful for what we have, if I look at those poor people. I will certainly do something like that again to help other people”, said Van Dyk.
