The honourable KwaZulu-Natal first lady, Dr. May Mkhize joined staff from SAB’s Pietermaritzburg Depot at their Nelson Mandela Day drive at non-profit organization, Sekunjalo Project, in Pietermaritzburg. Staff spent their time establishing a vegetable garden and installing a jojo water tank for the community. This will assist the community in growing their own produce which can be used to feed those in need.

In celebrating Nelson Mandela Day, SAB announced that during the period 13 to 20 July, it is to release its staff members, including senior management in about 10 locations in the East Coast Region, incorporating the whole of KwaZulu-Natal and parts of the Eastern Cape, to work in the communities where the company operates.

The initiative is part of International Nelson Mandela Day, “in honour of our own, former President Nelson Mandela,” said Greg Uys, SAB general manager East Coast Region.

Uys said: “To celebrate the life of our International icon, Nelson Mandela, we at SAB have decided to partake in a series of community initiatives – these include financial injection in community organisations that are involved in a fight against HIV/Aids, environmental related projects, general maintenance of the centres, and lending a hand to the organisation for the day”. He added: “We are investing a minimum of over 50 000 minutes as part of our contribution to the communities in which we operate. In the process an investment of about a quarter of a million rands will made available to over 10 deserving community-based organisations in various locations to achieve among others things – urgent renovations, much needed installations of veggie gardens, essential garden equipment, water tanks, and food parcels”.

Vincent Maphai, SAB executive director of Corporate Affairs and Transformation paid a glowing tribute to the former state president Nelson Mandela, describing him as “a giant whose DNA lives on in our constitution.” Maphai praised Mandela for his role in a fight against apartheid, reconciliation efforts and his relentless pursuit of activities that contribute to common good in our country and beyond. He said: “Former president Mandela made a sterling contribution to the struggle for democracy, quest for reconciliation, and in the process he sacrificed a lot in his life to ensure the attainment of the freedom we enjoy today”.

In conclusion he added: “Our Madiba is now retired; the task to continue his selfless public service is upon us. We have a historical responsibility and a moral duty to pick up the cudgels in order to continue the good deeds of a great man who made South Africa a better place to live, work and play”.