South Africa's largest building material retailer, Cashbuild joined the rest of the world last week to celebrate International Mandela Day.
The 18th of July has been set aside as a day dedicated to celebrating the life of South African international icon, Nelson Mandela. Together with its partners, Habitat for Humanity and Nelson Mandela Foundation, Cashbuild volunteers took time off from the trading floor to build a house for the Gumede family in Umbumbulu, Kwazulu-Natal South Coast.
Gogo Nokwathemba Gumede has lived in a dilapidated house for 23 years. Now living with three grandchildren, the elderly lady has endured many cold winters in her falling house she calls home.
For two days Cashbuild volunteers, joined by an international organisation dedicated to building shelter for the poor, Habitat for Humanity staff and community volunteers put their shoulders to the wheel and helped Gogo to have decent shelter. Cashbuild takes pride in assisting and supporting communities where it trades.
The Head of Community Support Initiatives at Cashbuild, Thembelani Tukwayo said that Cashbuild's participation confirms the company's commitment to community upliftment. "I am thrilled that we are able to make this contribution to Gogo Gumede. The actual building job is hard work, but the joy you get to see Gogo Gumede looking very pleased is worth it.
Madiba has blazed a trail with his selfless service to humanity, and we are following in his giant footsteps, albeit in a small way. We can solve many communities and social problems we face in South Africa today by working together, and it was such a wonderful opportunity to work with the community."
Gogo Gumede expressed her appreciation to Cashbuild. "I am very happy with this assistance from Cashbuild. I could not have done this on my own as I do not have the means. Now I am going to have a decent place to sleep with my grandchildren, and this gives me great joy and happiness and thank you very much to the Cashbuild staff members who assisted us as a family."
Cashbuild's Mandela Day involvement also extended to Limpopo where the company made a donation of building materials to Motho Ke Motho Ka Batho Creche in Seshego, Limpopo. The donation of building materials will help the owner of the creche to renovate the facility that accommodates 30 children. Cashbuild volunteers from Seshego store spent a day at the creche helping to give the facility a fresh look.
