As we conclude July and the celebration of Mandela Month, the South Africa Breweries (SAB) and the Department of Social Development led by MEC Motlagomang "Mamiki" Qabathe have joined forces in donating dignity bags to Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) shelters and survivors in the Free State.
On Friday 29 July, MEC Qabathe, the Acting HOD, Adv TJ Phahlo and members from her department and SAB’s Central Region Office employees packed dignity bags, filled with toiletry items that will assist GBV shelters and GBVF survivors to be selected by the Department. The partnership with the Department of Social Development is aligned with one of SABs employee volunteerism campaigns in July which focused on assisting Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) survivors nationally and therefore support women who are at risk.
“We thank the MEC and members of her team for the extraordinary work that we have been able to achieve through this partnership” says the Brewer’s Central Region Regional Director, Bridget Makhura. “This initiative is testament of the work we have achieved through our SAB Live Sharp pillar which seeks to protect women from Gender-based violence (GBV), and driving the economic inclusion and upliftment of women, youth, and businesses in townships and rural areas where SAB do business”, she adds
Earlier this month, SAB employees were invited to choose their unsung heroes who are supporting people doing extraordinary things in communities across the country by supporting them with funding to encourage them to keep being change makers.
Some of these initiatives addressed substance abuse, gender-based violence, education, unemployment, sport, orphan care and art and creativity. The most predominant theme was feeding the hungry and providing sanitary towels for girls so they don’t miss school.
MEC Qabathe has expressed that the plight of women either through GBVF or from poverty which takes away their dignity is one that needs everyone to come together and assist where we can. ”It is encouraging to see SAB staff embark in this worthy cause and link it to the Mandela Month 2022 Theme of “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” The Department is looking forward to many of such initiatives for the benefit of the vulnerable members of our society and for community development.” Said the MEC.
