NATASHA BEZUIDENHOUT
Staff Reporter
THE Cape Argus, together with the Gift of the Givers Foundation, contributed its 67 minutes to children at the Athlone School for the Blind, helping to refurbish dormitories with new furniture.
The Cape Argus also handed over a R10 000 cheque to the school, which caters for children with a range of disabilities. The Cape Argus won the money in the recent Brandhouse Responsible Drinking Media Awards, for its successful campaign of naming and shaming people convicted of drinking and driving.
The foundation donated wheelchairs, food, beds, bedding, cabinets, fridges, microwaves, cleaning materials and toiletries worth more than R500 000.
Allauddin Sayed, spokesman for Gift of the Givers, said the organisation was honoured to be of service to those who were most dear to Tata Madiba – and not only for 67 minutes.
”We celebrate with a sense of hope for the future, and celebrate in the company of those he was prepared to give his life for.”
The voices of 550 children rang out as they sang the national anthem, followed by Happy Birthday Tata Madiba.
Sayed said millions of people looked to Madiba as an icon, “and we are privileged to have his presence”. “He is someone who has touched the daily lives of the most down-trodden and disadvantaged.
“Madiba will always be a shining example to young people in the country,” he said.
After morning assembly, the Cape Argus team helped offload 80 bed sets, 80 cupboards, towels and bedding, before removing old beds and cupboards to be replaced with the new ones. Then the beds were made up with sheets, pillow cases and blankets, while new curtains were hung.
Grade 6 pupil Emeale Swartz, 12, couldn’t stop smiling after seeing the makeover of the boys’ dormitory.
“I am very happy. Our cupboards and beds were broken. We really like it,” he said shyly.
Grade 7 pupil Ayanda Wolayi, 14, said his favourite part of the makeover was their new beds. “I like the beds the most.”
Mohammed Shakeel Sablay, 17, a matric pupil at Oracle Academy, volunteered his 67 minutes to help the Gift of the Givers for the day. “I have learnt a lot. There are many talented children here who have touched our lives today,” he said.