Mobile communications company, Vodacom KZN recently reached out to the Bayview and Montford community in Chatsworth where many flood victims are housed in community halls following the devastating floods that hit the province in April.
Vodacom donated R3 million to Gift of the Givers to aid relief efforts aimed at helping scores of people affected by floods.
The money has assisted with food, blankets, water and toiletries. The torrential rains and floods caused extensive damage with many people losing their homes and belongings, and even losing loved ones. Many people’s homes were destroyed while hundreds of people were evacuated forcing them to find shelter in community halls and churches.
Managing executive for Vodacom KZN, Imran Khan said that as a locally grown company, it is part of their purpose-led business approach to provide aid to uplift humanity whenever the need arises.
“This is part of our social contract to use our resources working in partnership with government and other social partners to respond to some of the pressing needs in communities in which we operate,” he said.
Director of External Affairs at Vodacom South Africa, Takalani Netshitenzhe said: “The devastation, human displacement and the loss of life and property caused by the heavy rains and floods in KwaZulu-Natal is a serious tragedy that has appealed to all of us to demonstrate Ubuntu. Our R3 million donation was aimed at supplementing efforts by the provincial government and has been used to provide food hampers, blankets, sanitary towels, bottled water, baby food and nappies for affected families. This amount is over and above our business as usual financial commitment to ensure access to communication by restoring the sites and the network.Thanks to many Vodacom customers, the company enabled donations via its Vodabucks Loyalty Platform where many could donate their Vodabucks via the My Vodacom App and assist in raising funds. These donations contributed R157, 000 in Vodabucks to further assist the affected communities in KZN. This amount was donated to the Gift of the Givers as well.”
The team further went out into the affected communities within Chatsworth and handed over KFC Vouchers so the many families could enjoy a warm meal together.
Member of Parliament in the National Assembly, Honourable Brandon Pillay was at the Bayview Community Hall which was set up as a Disaster Relief Shelter for families from the nearby Unity Avenue settlement.
“On 12 April, over 100 families were left stranded and displaced. They had nowhere to go, with just the clothes they were wearing they sought refuge at the hall. In a matter of minutes just through posts on social media we were able to set up a fully fledged relief shelter. I am grateful to all the kind family friends and donors who have been assisting families at the hall. When I was contacted by Vodacom, I was elated as their contribution came at the perfect time, as we approach winter, I was worried about how these families will manage with with little that we have, the contribution of mattresses blankets and food aid from Vodacom and Gift of the Givers will go a long way. I want to place on record our sincere thanks and gratitude on behalf of the government and every family who received this support. As we have entered winter it still breaks my heart that families are still here in the hall, we will continue to provide relief to them and we appeal to anyone who would like to assist or provide meals to feel free to visit us at the hall. Once again our thanks and gratitude to Vodacom and the team for all their efforts,” said Pillay.
