Shopping centre bestows flowers on local hero
For Women’s Day, The Square Shopping Centre has recognised a hero in their community, by gifting Linda Gildenhuys with flowers, owing to her incredible leadership skills.
Linda Gildenhuys has spent over 30 years making her community a better place. As the chairperson of the Sunninghill Ratepayers Association, she has worked tirelessly to keep her neighbours safe and happy, out of the goodness of her caring heart.
Gildenhuys’s biggest concern has been the low-lying bridge on Witkoppen Road, which floods during heavy rains and poses danger to motorists.
Read more: Why did 9 August become #WomensDay?
She took it upon herself to ensure that the road is closed during the dangerous weather conditions, and has even helped search for people in need. Her quick thinking has prevented many accidents, and has made her a hero in the eyes of the Sunninghill community.
For those reasons, The Square Shopping Centre decided to give Gildenhuys the gift of flowers, honouring her exceptional leadership skills.
Nsuku Jeleni, The Square’s marketer, said, “One of our ideas, for [our] women’s day campaign, was to share stories of inspiring women, so we decided to share a story about the person who is well know in the area. Her being on top of the list made the selection easy for us.”
Also read: Womens day celebration at Indaba Hotel
Despite facing challenges as a woman in a leadership role, Gildenhuys successfully expanded the scope of the Sunninghill Ratepayers Association.
She went beyond crime prevention, and has been instrumental in risk management, strategic planning, environmental conservation, litter cleanup, the maintenance of verges and parks, and the investigation of rezoning applications, to ensure that the suburb remains a safe and desirable suburb in which to live and work.
Her ongoing projects, including the installation and monitoring of CCTV cameras, have shown her commitment to enhancing community security.
Gildenhuys said she feels special, and bows down for the honour which came when she least expected it.
“I love it for us as the association. It was not easy, especially dealing with complaints from the residents, and some are angered. I don’t like the limelight; I was hesitant when the centre approached with this recognition. Working with people is not easy, but emails from people in the community, and gestures like this, they help in keeping the momentum. I also enjoy the feeling of helping someone.”
Jeleni said this is the first time that the shopping centre has celebrated women’s month in this manner, “it is the start of many ways for the centre to celebrate women’s day. Gildenhuys’s reaction was priceless; she was such such an amazing person; very appreciative.”
Related article: SPAR Womens Challenge Jozi: An Exciting School Competition Beckons
