TLC Outreach Projects, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Table View, and Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) launched a large Mandela Day outreach which continued on to 19 July to target as many underprivileged in the Wolwerivier and Radar Bush informal settlements with 600 care packages delivered.
“DSCT visited all the informal settlements that TLC works with and Wolwerivier and Radar Bush, who were in most dire need of assistance, were selected,” explained Tebogo Skhosana, DSCT’s transformation officer.
“We selected areas that had a lack of basic infrastructure with a high unemployment and poverty rate. With many of our employees, who also come from previously disadvantaged communities, we involved all our employees by asking them to contribute ideas towards the initiatives that DSCT could do for the poor communities at Wolwerivier and Radar Bush on Mandela Day,” Skhosana explained.
The products the company, alongside TLC, decided upon, were winter packs and toiletries including a blanket, gloves, beanie and three pairs of socks, a toothbrush, toothpaste and a facecloth.
Skhosana said DSCT went to poorer communities and sought out those who have limited access to basic services, including electricity and proper infrastructure. “During load-shedding, the residents make fires to bring warmth, but through this initiative, [DSCT] were able to provide them with additional warmth. As we are still in the winter season, and given the load-shedding situation, the winter packs will go a long way for the people,” Skhosana elaborated.
Communities were informed of the initiative which saw young and old visiting the site where DSCT and TLC were stationed.
According to Skhosana, DSCT decided to partner with TLC on this year’s Mandela Day due to the NGO’s gripping vision and mission which includes educating youth, ex-offenders, and the homeless among many other services.
“TLC’s role [in this initiative ] was to facilitate communication with the communities and inform them of the initiatives that were going to take place for Mandela Day, making sure that the community will be available to receive the packs on the day,” Skhosana said.
TLC also provided sustenance for the residents of Wolwerivier and Radar Bush informal settlements, which was also funded by themselves, according to Skhosana.
