Cllr Patel warmly spearheads Mandela Day blanket drive

An initiative by Councillor Naeem Patel, together with members of the business sector, community forums and residents of Ward 61, celebrated Mandela Day on July 18 with a blanket drive initiative.

The plan was to arrange 670 blankets in honour of the 67 years Nelson Mandela devoted to public betterment for all South Africans and to be distributed to the needy and elderly in Ward 61. However at the end, 750 blankets were received. The day’s event began with a gathering at the local community center, of all sponsors or representatives, as well as some dignitaries.

The distinguished guests included the Ambassador of Kazakhstan, His excellency Kanat Tumaysh, Member of Parliament, Oscar Mutafa, Cultural Attache to the Republic of Somalia, Abdu Halane Harsi and the Consular and Visa officer from the High Commission of Pakistan.

The day began with a welcoming note from Councillor Patel. The significance of the day was explained by MP Mutafa who expressed his respect to the community in the Ward, for always being a pillar of continuous support towards projects where the needy and destitute are concerned. Messages of support were also expressed by other dignitaries as well as representatives of the sponsors. The morning concluded with a cake cutting in honour of the late President Nelson Mandela. Cllr Patel said that the campaign once again proved the unity of the community and their generosity.

The following organizations/businesses donated towards the blanket drive… Foodline, HID foundation, Squad Cars, the Laudium Sun, Laudium Interim Residents Assoc, Pakistan SAAssoc, OK Erasmia, OK Laudium, Kwik Spar Erasmia, Kismet Spar, Cops Tactical, Langer Khana, PMT, Jamiat Ul Ulama Tshwane, Heart To Heart Foundation, Amani Inc, Laudium Community Care, The Bread Winner, Masjid Abubakr Sadiq, Uplifting Humanity, Laudium Disaster Management, Infinite Hope, Tshwane Muslim Relief & Councillor Patel’s Office.