WATCH: Facebook group applauds essential service workers during lockdown
A few Brackendowns residents have joined in to applaud essential service employees working during the country’s lockdown through a recently created Facebook group.
To all those out there delivering essential service – do read on – your community is there for you.
A few Brackendowns residents have joined in to applaud essential service employees working during the country’s lockdown through a recently created Facebook group.
The Facebook group was established on March 26, immediately after the announcement of the country’s lockdown, which was aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus.
Founders Nicole and Douglas Gillan, with the help of Kieran Young from Kempton Park, created the group solely to appreciate essential service workers for their services.
The public group is called #clapforessentialserviceproviders and stands at 7 326 members and counting.
They get communities to cheer and make loud noise as much as possible with anything from drums, music, to beating pots and pans as a means to appreciate the workers. Members of this Facebook group do this each night at 8pm.
Nicole said through the initiative they aimed at creating bonds of friendship between people who are strangers.
“Clapping is a universal form of encouragement and thanks, which has no borders between cultures and languages.
“With all the negativity and bad news all over the media, we thought to try and send some positive vibes,” she said.
According to Nicole, they were inspired to start the group after seeing this being done in the United Kingdom (UK) and in India.
In just three days, the group had about 5 500 members who joined in from as far as Boksburg, Kempton Park and many other areas within the City of Ekurhuleni.
“As the group evolves and unfolds and as the community grows and shapes the group, we will be seriously considering a social enterprise. This will be aimed at benefiting the most vulnerable people in our society post lockdown,” said Nicole.
Melody Pheiffer, a Brackendowns resident, also a member of the group, said through her involvement in the group she is able to appreciate people who are on the frontline.
“Through this group, we recognise our health workers and essential services for at least a minute or so for their services during this time.
“We thank the people that are fighting this disease and looking after people and having to be fearless warriors during this time,” she said.
She said they have had people beat frying pans with others hooting their cars, while some ululate to extend their gratitude.
WATCH: A video of Brackendowns residents cheering for essential service workers
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