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Corporate Social Responsibility

24 April 2026 Media Release: Collective Effort Brings Renewed Dignity to Skills Mecca Participant

Media Release: Collective Effort Brings Renewed Dignity to Skills Mecca Participant

For Immediate Release
24 April 2026

Government and the private sector have partnered to donate an electric wheelchair and a pair of spectacles to Clidine Davids, a beneficiary of the Garden Route Skills Mecca, an initiative of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM).

This effort will enhance her mobility and provide greater independence, enabling easier access to George and surrounding areas.

Clidine Davids with the brand new wheelchair donated to her by GRDM in collaboration with Eden FM and private sector businesses.

The initiative began in February 2026, when a GRDM employee, Bonisile Desha, noticed that the wheels of Clidine’s wheelchair were damaged. He promptly contacted Morné Pieterse, Station Manager at Eden FM, to enquire about possible assistance in funding the replacement.

Without hesitation, Pietersen committed to supporting the effort and arranged for the wheels to be replaced. However, the broader vision extended beyond this immediate solution – it was to replace Clidine’s wheelchair entirely with a foldable model that could fit into smaller vehicles. This would significantly improve her ability to travel, get access to areas previously out of reach, particularly as she relies primarily on public transport.

With Davids’ needs in mind, Desha approached additional businesses to support the procurement of an EW-03 electric foldable wheelchair. Letsatsi committed to covering the full cost of a foldable wheelchair, while Mafori and Loxion Lounge jointly funded her new pair of spectacles.

As the initiative gained momentum, more partners came on board to support the handover event. Mestile Projects provided catering, while Sugarbird supplied refreshments for the event. The region’s largest community radio station, Eden FM, further supported the initiative by offering on-air exposure, allowing participating sponsors to showcase their services.

At an emotional handover ceremony today held at the GRDM, Davids extended words of gratitude to all stakeholders and sponsors involved in this life-changing initiative.

Generous sponsors celebrating the moment with Clidine after the official handover of the wheelchair.

Who is Clidine Davids?

A young inspirational woman who is an entrepreneur, self-motivated, steadfast and self-determined to make the lives around her better. She is a bright and positive person who is an inspiration and example to others, despite the challenges she faces daily.

She was born during the mid-pregnancy within the second trimester. She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and given limited life expectancy. This amazing young woman has overcome every life expectancy given to her by the medical profession and is now 29 years old.

Due to her conditions, Clidene could not attend a mainstream education school and attended Carpe Diem School that caters for physical-, learning- and intellectually impaired learners. Unfortunately, due to circumstances, she could not complete her High School education, but it is still a dream of Clidene to finally achieve her Matric Certificate.

Clidene is fully dependable on her wheelchair to move around and due to the stroke she experienced as a baby, she has other impairments as well. She is currently supporting her household comprising of her sick mother and 3 brothers of which 2 of her brothers are still in school.

Currently, Clidene is the breadwinner of the household responsible for rent, electricity, school fees and additional academic classes that her brothers require. She ensures that everyone in her household is taken care of, do their assigned responsibilities and are fed and still have a clean house. She says that she had to become a mother earlier than imagined. She is currently registered on the RDP beneficiary list of the George Municipality in her endeavour to obtain a house for her family,

Davids is furthermore taking part in an internship program at the GRDM, to equip and give her exposure to the working environment.

The GRDM, which facilitated the initiative, takes pride in knowing that Clidine’s quality of life will be enhanced. It furthermore builds on the impact already envisioned through the Garden Route Skills Mecca.

“As a District Municipality, we are deeply grateful to the private sector for their meaningful contribution to Claudine’s well-being.”

ENDS

5 May 2023 Media Release: Garden Route DM Employees Step Up and Support Slipper Day

Garden Route DM Employees Step Up and Support Slipper Day

For Immediate Release
5 May 2023

Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) employees showed their big hearts today by participating in Slipper Day, an annual fundraiser driven by the Employee Wellness office for Reach For A Dream Foundation. The campaign aims to help children battling life-threatening illnesses.

By swapping their work shoes for cosy slippers and purchasing supporter stickers for R20 each, the employees demonstrated their commitment to supporting a good cause. Slipper Day is a national movement that encourages South Africans to donate their small change to make a big difference in the lives of children in need.

“We are proud to participate in Slipper Day and to support Reach For A Dream Foundation’s mission to fulfil the dreams of children fighting serious illnesses,” said Trix Holtzhausen, Executive Manager: Corporate Services for GRDM.

“Our employees are passionate about making a positive impact in our community, and Slipper Day is a fun and meaningful way for us to do so.”

Slipper Day is Reach For A Dream’s largest and most celebrated fundraiser, with the goal of raising R10 million this year to help 2,000 children with life-threatening illnesses experience moments of joy by fulfilling their dreams. All proceeds raised from the day go towards Reach For A Dream Foundation, and the funds will be used to make a real difference in the lives of children and their families. The Garden Route District Municipality employees showed their creativity and sense of fun by wearing an array of slippers and supporter stickers, ranging from fuzzy monsters to bunny-eared slippers.

Slipper Day is more than just a fun event; it is a chance to make a real difference in the lives of children and their families. By supporting Slipper Day, South Africans can help to combat the gravity of serious diseases and bring moments of joy and hope to those who need it most.

For more information on Reach For A Dream Foundation and how you can support their mission, visit their website at www.reachforadream.org.za

Werknemers van Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit het vandag deelgeneem aan Pantoffeldag, ‘n jaarlikse fondsinsameling wat deur die Werknemerwelstand-kantoor van Tuinroete DM vir ‘Reach For A Dream Foundation’ gedryf word. Deur plakkers vir R20 elk te koop en hul werkskoene vir pantoffels te verruil, het die Tuinroete werknemers hul toewyding om ‘n goeie doel te ondersteun, getoon.

Pantoffeldag is ‘n nasionale beweging wat Suid-Afrikaners aanmoedig om hul kleingeld te skenk om ‘n groot verskil in die lewens van kinders in nood te maak. Die doelwit van Pantoffeldag is om vanjaar R10 miljoen in te samel om 2 000 kinders met lewensgevaarlike siektes te help. Alle donasies wat op 5 Mei ingesamel word, gaan vir Reach For A Dream Foundation.

 

27 January 2023 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality donates mattresses to Kleine Handjies Crèche in Uniondale

Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality donates mattresses to Kleine Handjies Crèche in Uniondale

For immediate release
27 January 2023

An Early Childhood Development (ECD) facility is required to create a suitable and comfortable environment for all toddlers enrolled at it. A safe sleeping area for toddlers is an integral part of a suitable environment. To ensure that these spaces are comfortable enough to provide a healthy sleeping routine, items such as mattresses are regarded as essential items for a toddler.

GRDM Chief Fire Officer, Deon Stoffels (right) and Senior Firefighter and Acting Station Officer: Fire Safety & Training, Devonia Cupido (2nd, right), as well as caretakers and toddlers of Kleine Handjies Creche, with the mattresses.

Caretakers and toddlers from the “Klein Handjies Crèche” in Uniondale were pleasantly surprised, last week Friday, when they received a visit from Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) officials who donated twenty (20) mattresses to the crèche.

Crèche principal, Chanell Jumat, extended words of appreciation and gratitude to the GRDM Chief Fire Officer, Deon Stoffels and Senior Firefighter and Acting Station Officer: Fire Safety & Training, Devonia Cupido, who delivered the items. She admitted that the daycare facility had many needs, of which mattresses were one of them. “We are extremely thankful for the GRDM who reached out to us, especially our toddlers. We want each child to enjoy a safe and comfortable environment where they receive the care they deserve”. Adding to these words, Jumat said: “There are times when I feel that we are the forgotten ECD facility, as we have many needs that still need to be addressed and today, I am thankful for these essentials,” she said.

The GRDM officials also used the opportunity and offered a refresher session to the toddlers and caretakers about the importance of fire safety and important tips related to it.

“Kleine Handjies Crèche” was established in 2018 and currently accommodates fifty (50) toddlers of the Uniondale area. Although the facility has the capacity to accommodate ninety (90) toddlers, a long list of needs still need to be addressed. This includes daily meals, toiletries, stationary, tables and chairs for the toddlers to have the ideal and suitable environment where they can be prepared for the next phase of their education.

If you would like to donate to this crèche, contact Chanell Jumat at 066 3381 748.

20 October 2022 Media Release: Want to make a difference? Sponsor a pair of school shoes and socks to an underprivileged child

Media Release: Want to make a difference? Sponsor a pair of school shoes and socks to an underprivileged child

For Immediate Release
20 October 2022

Eden FM, Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), Vodacom, and the George Museum kicked off their 2nd Walk a Child to School campaign drive on 20 October 2022. Local businesses, faith-based organisations, institutions of higher learning and community members, amongst others, will be targeted to form part of the drive to ‘walk a child to school’ – a figurative reference to donating shoes and socks to learners from rural schools. Beneficiaries will come from the Garden Route district (Hessequa, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Bitou, Oudtshoorn and Kannaland).

Attendees at the launch of the second “Walk a Child to School” Campaign kick-off on 20 October 2022.

When asked about the campaign goal for this year, Eden FM’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Nomonde Makhubalo said: “We aim to source around 2 500 donations, an increase of more than 300% we received last year”.

“Those interested to make a difference in a child’s life are welcome to sponsor a pair of school shoes to an underprivileged child.”

A pair of shoes will help a child to enjoy a painless and less harmful walk to school. No shoes also mean cold feet, something underprivileged children also face, especially during winter months. Life is also far more expensive than years before. Compared to groceries, school shoes cost an average of R150,00. There isn’t much a person gets for R150,00 – only one or two small grocery bags without meat.

During the official launch of the 2022 campaign, the Station Manager for Eden FM, Morné Petersen, said: “It is wonderful for some people to say that they want to give something. However, many of those people only talk. Some people write books and theses about initiatives, but it takes a special kind of person that rolls up his or her sleeves and say: ‘We are going to make a difference’”. Referring to last year’s campaign, he highlighted that last year, through this campaign, “we were able to donate 750 pairs of shoes to children living in the Garden Route”.

In his address, Ald. Memory Booysen, Executive Mayor of GRDM said that he will engage other municipalities in the region to form part of the campaign.

His address focused on circumstances and that he’s seen a matriculant from his hometown, Hankey, radiating happiness. “Last year I was invited to attend a prize-giving ceremony in Hankey. The high school top achiever was dressed in a worn uniform with broken straps and shoes. Mayor said that he could see she was happy. “I looked at her and was reminded that it was God’s grace that she was happy under very difficult circumstances.” He explained that not all the kids are strong enough to navigate through difficult circumstances, however, many do go all the way and don’t allow their environment to get them down. Booysen also reminded the audience that kids get lost in the system because of many root causes.

“Children drop out of school because they do not have the bare necessities; like shoes, sometimes girls also stay away from school because they do not have sanitary towels.”

GRDM recently held a sanitary towel drive and will continue to support this cause to restore the dignity of children.

DONATIONS ALREADY PLEDGED

The Road Accident Fund donated 500 pairs of shoes today, George Museum pledged 100 pairs of shoes, Vodacom pledged R7500 worth of shoes (approximately 50 pairs), and Eden FM R5000,00 (approximately 33 pairs) worth of shoes.

The estimated number of donations, taking into account the pledges, now stands at 673 pairs of shoes.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED: CONTACT EDEN FM

Get in touch with Nomonde Makhubalo if you would like to donate shoes and socks. She can be reached by e-mail marketing@edenfm.co.za, WhatsApp at 078 395 4196 or dial 044 874 5085.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED: REQUEST A PLASTIC CONTAINER FOR SHOES

Companies who would like to get involved can request a “Walk a Child to School” box from Nomonde.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED: DROP OFF SHOES AT SELECTED LOCATIONS

Drop-off locations this year are at locations below:

  • Eden FM Offices at 97 York Street in George.
  • Vodacom Offices throughout the Garden Route.

ENDS

Feature image caption: Key stakeholders of the campaign with the Executive Mayor of GRDM, Ald. Memory Booysen. They are (FLTR): Nomonde Makhubalo (Eden FM), Queeny Diko (Vodacom), Ntombesithathu Kulati (Road Accident Fund) and Errol Jafta (George Museum).