Listeners and companies across Algoa Country took advantage of being able to make their contribution to Mandela Day virtually by supporting initiatives in Buffalo City, the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and George.
“Working with partners in each of the regions Algoa Cares identified local areas of need. The response from both listeners and businesses was heartening, and shows that they really care,” says Algoa FM marketing manager Lesley Geyer.
“In the Buffalo City metro the identified need was personal protective equipment for learners in two under-resourced schools – Grade 7s at Sinomonde Primary School and grade 12s at Umzuvukile High School.
“Working in partnership with the Border Kei Chamber of Business we raised donations of over 500 masks, sanitisers, gloves and stationery”.
In Nelson Mandela Bay Algoa FM partnered with the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium operated by the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) to raise funds for blankets for the field hospital at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium, as well as the Sinethemba Children’s Care, Helenvale Centre of Hope and House of Resurrection centres.
“We still have some cold weather ahead, and the blankets will help keep the very young, the frail and those in poor health warm,” says Geyer.
A total of 530 blankets has been distributed.
In addition, the collective of Port Elizabeth designers, seamstresses and fabric companies donated 200 masks. The collective includes well-known designers Braemore Lundall-Sauls, Jason Kieck, Morne van der Schyff, Alex Van Vuuren, Carlos Fritz and Franscois Britton.
The Locally Yours Market also donated 200 masks.
Hundreds of George residents in need of food aid, benefited from an Algoa FM collaboration with the local municipality through which donors dropped off dry soup ingredients at the George City Hall without having to leave their cars.
“For many in George the hearty meals provided by the soup kitchens twice a day are a true life saver. It is a fantastic initiative by the people of the Garden Route,” she says.
According to Geyer, donations are still coming in, and these will be distributed during next week.
Image: At the handover of blankets raised for Mandela Day by Algoa FM. From the left, Algoa FM marketing manager Lesley Geyer, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium commercial head Phumulani Hlatshwayo and Algoa FM Breakfast Show host Lee Duru.