While life can be hard in Nelson
Mandela Bay’s Kwazakhele township, there is also plenty of hope thanks to the
tireless efforts of those who strive to uplift the local community.
From religious leaders and teachers to
informal traders and entrepreneurs, these individuals believe a better life for
all is attainable and will do everything in their power to make it happen.
Such commitment to the wellbeing of
residents has always resonated with the management and staff of SUPERSPAR Daku.
Whenever a need has arisen, they have
rolled up their sleeves to play their part, often partnering with local
organisations and Kwazakhele’s Good Samaritans to help others.
Unfortunately, with the sudden arrival
of Covid-19 in 2020, many efforts were curtailed or even halted.
It was heart-wrenching for everyone,
particularly township youth who through these initiatives can reclaim the
dignity too often lost to difficult financial circumstances.
As soon as life returned to normal,
however, SUPERSPAR Daku general manager Adriaan Terblanche and his team were
back looking for new projects that could make a positive impact in the area.
It was not long before they found
them.
Aaron Gqadu Senior Public School and
the Assemblies of Christ Church, both shining institutions in the township,
have served the community with distinction for years.
Sadly, the school had been in
desperate need of a proper library, explained principal Rodney Mtywaru.
“We had been using a classroom as the
library and it needed to be renovated badly. It needed to be repainted and
there was a hole in the roof,” he said.
“This meant that the children would
have to go to another library, but it is far away and it cost money to get
there. It was too much for our learners who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“Thankfully,
an NGO from Cape Town helped us with books and we found the money to redo the
entire room.”
With his ear to the ground as usual,
Terblanche quickly came on board to provide meals for all those who attended
the recent opening of the library.
“It was a great occasion. We invited
neighbouring schools and parents to the event and are very grateful to them for
providing the meals,” said Mtywaru.
Police sergeant and resident pastor at
Assemblies of Christ Church, Monde Nkatu, knows all about the need that exists
in Kwazakhele.
In his job and role as a religious
leader, he sees it every day.
But he, too, has found an ally in the
community’s favourite retailer, which recently donated more than 30 pairs of
school shoes and 100 meal packs to the church to distribute to young people.
“I am not someone who asks for money; I
stipulate items that I believe can help people in this community. This donation
of shoes will make a big difference to these children because so many go to
school without a pair,” said Nkatu.
“He (Terblanche) is very friendly and
helpful.
“I first wrote a letter to my local
councillor for the shoe donation. Then he wrote to the SPAR and they helped
with the shoes and meals and cooldrinks for the kids.
“We are very thankful for that.”
Nkatu is now turning his attention to
a blanket and clothing drive for disadvantaged residents to help keep them warm
in winter.
Terblanche said SUPERSPAR Daku has
always been community-driven and after three years of not being able to help it
was pleasing that the store could once again give back to the people of
Kwazakhele.
