Pretoria - Ahead of International Nelson Mandela Day, corporate giant Vodacom has packed food buckets for children from disadvantaged schools across the country.
The event, held at the Midrand Vodacom office park, saw a bustling production line of volunteers which included representatives from partner organisations such as the Department of Basic Education, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, non-profit organisation Gift of the Givers.
The raced against the clock to pack 30 000 buckets for those less fortunate in 67 minutes.
Different Vodacom branches around South Africa also held similar events to contribute to the total number of buckets to be distributed next week when schools reopen.
The buckets include nutritious food items such as peanut butter, beans, oats, pilchards, corned meat, baked beans, jam, juice and energy bars.
The initiative forms part of a larger project which the Vodacom Foundation is rolling out across the nation, building on its inaugural food security drive launched in honour of the International Nelson Mandela Day in 2013.
Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub, who rolled up his sleeves to pitch in, told SAnews that as a company it is important they are constantly giving back to society.
“This project is important because it brings together people from all walks of life to do their bit and give back to society. Mandela Day is our way of giving back. We are a very successful company and it’s important for us to give back to the societies in which we operate. And by backing 30 000 buckets gives us the ability to give back in a small way.”
“We do this in the spirit of wanting to change the world for the better, just as Madiba did. Madiba scarified most of his youth and life to give the majority of South Africans a taste of freedom.
“At Vodacom, in turn we like to celebrate Mandela Day to emulate the servant leadership that Madiba so perfectly displayed,” the Joosub.
He added that it is only by such contributions we can collectively change South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za
