24-07-2025
From the newsroom to those in need: Caxton delivers Mandela Day kindness
From the newsroom to those in need: Caxton delivers Mandela Day kindness
July 18 was Mandela Day and Caxton Local Media's Boksburg office was humming with busy hands making sandwiches – lots of them.
Brakpan Herald editorial staff were among the Caxton employees who put their sarmie-making skills to the test, and 1 000 sandwiches were made in just a few hours.
Each publication's editor was requested to identify one beneficiary in their area and the identified NPO received their stack of sarmies on the same day, while still fresh, along with a donation of packet soups.
The Brakpan Herald's share of the sandwiches were donated to Village of Hope, an NPO that holds feeding outreach programmes in local informal settlements.
'Being chosen as a beneficiary means a lot to us, and we are very grateful,' said Village of Hope founder Tumie Masolane.
The NPO distributed the sandwiches in the Mkhancwa informal settlement in Maryvlei that afternoon. They also received other food donations, including snacks, sweets and juice, from Pick n Pay Mall@Carnival.
Masolane, who was accompanied by NPO members Fedile Sekonyela, Elizabeth Kortjaas and Maria Mnguni, encouraged the children to do good for someone for 67 minutes.
She told them that doing good isn't just about giving gifts, it can also mean helping elderly people in the neighbourhood.
Masolane reminded them that everyone has a role to play, not just adults. Brakpan police, CPF members and Pick n Pay management joined the NPO in this Mandela Day commemoration.
'The food was distributed and the toddlers also received knitted socks,' said Brakpan SAPS communications officer Constable Audrey Buthelezi.
'The children were asked if they knew the significance of the day and they responded with excitement and smiles that it was Mandela Day.
'When asked who the late Mandela loved most, they responded that he loved children.
'SAPS members, CPF members, Village of Hope and the sponsors dedicated their time to a community service campaign that embodies the African philosophy of Ubuntu, aimed at assisting in the fight for social services and human rights.'
Buthelezi stated that the main objective is to make a positive impact, no matter how small. Parents thanked the SAPS and sponsors, and the children were happy to be pampered on a special day.
