Shoprite answers call for good deeds on Mandela Day
Nelson Mandela once said, “It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it”.
JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – Compassion, humility, inspiration, selflessness – these are just some of the words used to describe the late Nelson Mandela’s lifelong commitment to South Africa.
To honour him on what would have been his 96th birthday, the Group is celebrating the legacy of South Africa’s former President Nelson Mandela by mobilizing its staff and providing resources to assist needy organizations across the country with renovations, repairs, beautification, daily necessities and joyous celebrations on Nelson Mandela International Day.
Over the last few days, hundreds of staff members from the Group’s Head Office in Cape Town and its seven divisional offices in other main centres of South Africa have already started work on more than 15 projects. Stores in the Group are focussing on local projects that aim to contribute in a positive way to the lives of the elderly, abused and destitute women and children, disabled adults and children, and those who find themselves unemployed and homeless. Altogether, the Shoprite Group is focussing on over 300 projects throughout the country. The projects conclude with final touch-ups, donation hand-overs and celebrations at each organisation on July 18.
Across the country, the various divisional offices are focussing on several projects over and above activities that individual stores are participating in within their communities.
Caring for the communities it operates in has always been a priority for the Shoprite Group. The Group appreciates the loyal support from the community and is continuously looking for ways in which to give something back to its customers. The Mandela Day projects provides the company with another unique opportunity to not only honour the late Madiba, but also to empower communities and extend a hand of hope to those in need. It supports the Mandela day motto – “Take action. Inspire change. Make every day a Mandela Day”.
Mandela Day is something good and special. People should however not use this day for publicity for their own selfish reasons. Doing good should be a natural thing from within, that is done daily, and not limited to 67 minutes a year.