uShaka gives back to the streets this #MandelaDay
uShaka Marine World gave back to children this Mandela Day.
IN memory of Madiba’s life and legacy and in keeping with the Mandela Day campaign, uShaka Marine World set aside a full day programme for 21 children aged between 12 and 21, who currently live on the streets and are beneficiaries of Corner To Corner, run by Sihle Ndima and Bhekithemba Tshabalala.
Corner To Corner is a Grow Khula project that provides arts and sports activities for children living in the streets of Durban Central on a weekly basis. They opened their doors at a central venue in the CBD (Albert Park), in July 2015. This initiative gives street youth the opportunity to play together, showcase their talents and develop new skills.
As an act of love towards these children who live extremely hard lives, uShaka Marine World started the day off by collecting these children and transporting them to uShaka. They were then welcomed by Stella Khumalo, CEO of uShaka Marine World who presented them with a personally labelled welcome gift filled with personal hygiene items, uShaka clothing, slops, chocolates, water and more which was well received by the young men and women.
The children were then treated to a light breakfast, and then directed to the showers where they were able to clean up and dress in their new gear.
After all the children had their turn at the showers, they were all invited to Wet ‘n Wild where they experienced the fun of the slides, team competitions with prizes awarded to the winning teams, a dolphin show and a full buffet style lunch at Cargo Hold.
At the end of the day, blankets were presented to each of the children and returned back to Durban Central.
As an added contribution to Mandela Day, Chef Warren Frantz from the uShaka Marine World Cargo Hold in association with South African Chef’s Association KZN donated home-made soup and bread rolls sponsored by Unilever South Africa and Altona Fresh Produce, to 2 shelters in the Durban City Centre – that of Glitz And Fusion Shelter and the Nest Shelter.
For the uShaka team, there is no greater indignity than the absence of a place to call home and a full tummy, and it is for this reason they chose to give back to the destitute – from youth to adults – in the hope of making a small difference in the lives of everyday South Africans who are less fortunate than ourselves.
