20 years worth of 67 minutes

Many do a good deed for 67 minutes on Madiba Day but South African Breweries’ (SAB) 67 minutes has been going on for the past 20 years.

More than 20 years ago, SAB donated R1,5 million for the erection of Korekile Home for Cerebral Palsied Children in Simunye and they have been doing their share of good deeds for the home ever since.

Fezeka Mamabolo, SAB corporate affairs specialist, said the company has invested over R2 million to the home since inception. Most recently, they cleaned and painted a newly erected building at the home that will serve as a stimulation centre.

Frank Khumalo, who oversees the home said it took them two years and many donations to build and finish the new centre.

“Our children’s parents contributed a lot to the building of the stimulation centre. They have been a great help. You can’t always depend on donations, at some point you need to help yourself,” Frank said.

Fezeka explained that SAB has built up a relationship with the home over many years and in some respects Korekile feels like an adopted baby to them.

“Our motto is to care for the local community. We aim to empower and develop them and that doesn’t mean just doing something once. To make a real impact, you have to reach out and follow up,” she said.

Korekile is home to 120 children with cerebral palsy. The facility serves the entire West Rand and has recently received a license to take 150 children.

The centre is impressive and boasts luxury rooms for the children, entertainment areas both inside and out as well as an industrial kitchen and laundry facilities.

“When the Department of Health speaks about disability centres, they use us as an example. We’ve been fortunate and we’ve received a lot of help but we also don’t want people to think we’re doing so great that we don’t need more help. Anything helps. Whether it is that people want to visit the home and spend time with our children or whether they want to donate toys, it is all welcomed,” Khumalo explained.

The stimulation centre SAB painted for the home is already in use and Frank said the new centre is just phase 2. He is positive they will soon be embarking on phase 3.

Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.

Also read: 

Mandela Day tears of joy for pre-schoolers

Mandela Day starts early this year

For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Roodepoort Record, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine

Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!