By Bongekile Gumede
House of Arushka, in partnership with Kevin Joseph of In Focus with Madiba, recently announced their collaboration with the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) for a luncheon themed ‘Get Your Pink On’ at the iconic Radisson Blu Hotel in Umhlanga from 12pm to 2pm on Tuesday, 9 August.
The announcement was made by Joseph at a media launch held at one of the Raddison Blu Hotel’s conference rooms on Wednesday afternoon, 20 July. House of Arushka founder, Arushka Naidoo, said the aim of the luncheon is to celebrate and honour the lives lost to the dreadful disease that is cancer, while also creating awareness.
“Having lost several people to cancer, we felt this was the proper way to give back. The pink lunch will be a memorial to all those who fought a good fight with cancer but lost and will also show support to those who are on the journey of beating this dreadful disease. We have partnered with CANSA to show our support to cancer survivors, also incorporating Women’s Day as this lunch will only be for ladies. Many people are suffering from cancer without anyone knowing; fighting a silent battle. We will not only honour and remember cancer victims, but we also aim to create awareness and show people battling with cancer that they are not alone. We are with them,” said Naidoo.
She said that a percentage of the proceeds made from this pink-themed lunch will be donated to CANSA to make a difference in someone’s life. Naidoo said the day’s programme will include talks from inspirational and influential women such as Sorisha Naidoo, a businesswoman and the wife of Vivian Reddy, owner of the Radisson Blu Hotel in Umhlanga, Durban.
One of the entertainers for the day is 18-year-old Arya Dwarika who said she was honoured to be part of this initiative for a good cause. “I started singing at the age of six and I am more than honoured to be performing at this event, singing to other ladies, young and old. I really look forward to the event,” said Dwarika.
CANSA KZN Sustainability Co-ordinator, Lloyd Dlamini, expressed his gratitude to House of Arushka for the initiative. “Such initiatives make a big difference in the organisation because that means we get to continue helping people fight cancer, and also educate and support communities by teaching them a healthy lifestyle so they can live longer,” said Dlamini.
