In remembrance of the spirit of Tata Madiba, The Beekman Group proudly continued its tradition of community service, focusing this year’s Mandela Day activities on uplifting the Thanda Community Centre in Mtwalume on KwaZulu Natal’s South Coast.
A dedicated team of volunteers from The Beekman Group stepped forward to undertake a number of general maintenance tasks at the Ndunge Satellite Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre. Their efforts included painting the exterior of the ECD building and ablution blocks. This initiative highlights the Port Shepstone based company’s dedication to making a meaningful difference in under-resourced communities.
The Ndunge Satellite ECD Centre, one of two established by Thanda Community Centre in the Mtwalume area, plays a critical role in delivering early learning opportunities to remote parts of the community. These centres are essential in preparing young children for school and bridging the gap in access to educational resources.
“Supporting and helping to sustain local community initiatives are important to us at the Beekman Group,” said Hannelie Millar, Beekman Group Training and Development Manager. “Through our collaboration with Thanda Community Centre and by motivating our employees to engage in service projects, we aim to make a lasting impact and uplift those in need.”
Thanda’s core activities extend beyond Early Childhood Development (ECD) to foster essential skills like self-esteem, empathy, and critical thinking. Their Early Learning Initiative provides ECD and home-learning programmes from birth, while the Education Initiative supports children from Grade R to 10 in academic and social-emotional development. The Organic Farming programme offers infrastructure and mentoring for sustainable farming skills while their Creative Learning Development programme trains educators in innovative teaching methods. Through these initiatives, Thanda nurtures resilient, confident young adults who contribute positively to society.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Beekman Group for joining us in painting a brighter future for the children of Ndunge Satellite ECD. Their contribution continues to make a tangible difference, and we’re thankful for their partnership in empowering our young learners,” said Keana van Staden, Thanda’s Strategic Grants Coordinator.
Beyond this central project, Beekman Group encouraged its departments and staff to independently organise 67-minute service activities. Staff members from The Kingdom Resort, one of the Beekman Group’s flagship resorts in North West, visited a local clinic to assist with gardening and maintenance, while the health spa team provided neck and back massages to the hardworking nurses on duty. Meanwhile, other resorts took part in cleaning up litter in their local streets, and the head office staff visited the local Hospice, donating cosmetic packs to residents. Employees felt empowered to bring about positive changes within their local communities.
The Beekman Group’s participation in Mandela Day activities not only honours Nelson Mandela’s legacy but also reinforces its commitment to social responsibility and community development.