Wed Nov 19 08:28:00 UTC 2014
Orlando Pirates midfielder Thabo “Festival” Matlaba was today the first of 40 individuals that will get the opportunity to spread festive cheer this season by handing over 100 buckets of food worth over R10 000 to the charity of their choice. The food is being made available by the Shoprite supermarket chain as part of their festive season food donation campaign during which 10 000 buckets filled with non-perishable food to the value of more than R1 million will be distributed to various charities and communities in need across the country over the next few weeks.
Matlaba is participating in the retailer’s #Shareforgood campaign, and visited the Phomolong Child Welfare in his place of birth, Thembisa, along with some of his team mates to assist in their need. Phomolong Child Welfare is a community organization which cares for abandoned, abused and HIV/AIDS affected children.
Shoprite’s #Shareforgood campaign will see FoodBank SA distributing the largest share of the 10 000 food buckets to beneficiaries nationwide, while 4000 buckets had been allocated to 40 influential South Africans (in portions of 100 each) to make available to charities and communities they support. FoodBank SA redistributes food in communities with high food insecurity and they have a national footprint of over 1500 beneficiaries nationwide.
Shoprite continuously contributes to the well-being of the communities it serves through various community initiatives nationwide and this festive season the retailer also invites consumers to get involved and bring some festive cheer to those who have less. “Every South African can do their bit by filling a bucket with non-perishable food according to their means, and donate it to those in need while encouraging friends and family to do the same,” says Neil Schreuder, marketing director of Shoprite Checkers. All Shoprite stores also make available pre-packed Christmas buckets for customers’ convenience.
Other personalities who have committed themselves to #Shareforgood include musician Toya De Lazy, TV soccer analyst and former professional soccer player Marks Maponyane and his son Maps, Springbok rugby player Bryan Habana, Maritzburg United FC, Big Brother South Africa’s Sol Phenduka and Ukhozi FM disk jockey Thembeka Zondo.
