On Saturday 11 April the Blairgowrie Tennis Club hosted the donation drop-off for the Zoleka Mandela Foundation. Managing director of the foundation Thierry Bashala said beneficiaries of the proceeds are four Soweto-based charity organisations. “The donations will be sent to two orphanages and two old-age homes,” explained Bashala.
According to Bashala, the head of the foundation, Zoleka Mandela, celebrated her 35th birthday on 9 April and in lieu of receiving birthday gifts, she asked friends and family to make donations that will help change lives of the selected beneficiaries. “Small contributions make big differences, you can always make a difference in the lives of others less fortunate than you are,” added Bashala.
Susan Elder, who is one of the coaches at the tennis club, said they were delighted at the club to host this kind of event. “Most of all, we appreciate the support that we received from residents who headed the call for donations,” she said.
Elder and Mandela are both cancer survivors and they met through the CanAssist where they serve tea and sandwiches to cancer patients at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital. To Elder, this was a great mark, contribution and achievement for the club as they plan on hosting more events of this type. “Our facilities are always available when needed and we are also looking into hosting this type of event for charities in our area,” said Elder.
The club itself is in dire need of donations as they plan on upgrading their tennis courts and Elders said this is work in progress.
Details: Susan Elder 079 317 3334; robsusantennis@gmail.com
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