Photo: Bumbanani Day 2007
Back in the day when I was the bean counter for one of BOC Gas’s subsidiary companies Dowson and Dobson in Cape Town, we used to support a local home called The Ark. Besides our monthly donation, each year we would organize a day out for some of these under-privileged children.
Dowson and Dobson was closed last year so Rhino Africa and L & A Safety adopted the project as part of our Social Responsibility program. Bumbanani means “Togetherness” in our local Xhosa language, and it is only through togetherness, understanding and tolerance that South Africa has emerged as the wonderful place it is today. Despite the many challenges that lie ahead, South Africa truly is a remarkable place, which in 14 years has completely transformed itself, to emerge victorious through much speculation and doubt.
This past weekend, the staff of Rhino Africa and L and A Safety came together to take 40 of the Ark’s children out for a fun-filled Day. With over 500 children at the home, this year it was the turn of the 8 to 10 year olds. With help of our good-friends at GRS, Saturday was a very early start, as a 40 seated luxury bus collected the children from Faure, on the Cape Flats, transporting them to MonkeyTown in Somerset West.
Photo: First stop Monkey Town, Somerset West Cape Town
Not even the weather could dampen the mood for these children, as we got to know the various monkeys, apes, farmyard animals and parrots that make MonkeyTown their home. Fortunately the bad weather didn’t last and as we departed for Jonkershoek in Stellenbosch, the clouds disappeared and sun came out. I say fortunate, because there was no Plan B!
While we were all visiting Bongo and his friends at MonkeyTown, the rest of the Rhino Team where preparing for an afternoon of activities that included a traditional South African Braai (Barbeque) followed by a host of games, including Treasure Hunts, Face Painting, Cake Decoration, Soccer, Egg and Spoon races and cricket.
Photo: Katherine’s very popular Cake Decoration Table
The excitement and appreciation on the children’s faces was reward enough for everyone that participated in this wonderful day, but to all the staff from Rhino Africa, Traffic Brand, and L and Safety that where able to participate, my sincere thanks for making this day so special for everyone that attended. To Petra from GRS and James from Uthando, your participation and help in making this day possible are greatly appreciated.
Photo: A well earned Lunch Break
In terms of our greater Social Responsibility, the Rhino Africa group of companies is proud to contribute to Uthando SA, a non-profit organization that works on various community projects in South Africa. Besides our company support of The Ark, for every itinerary we make a donation on behalf of every client to Uthando SA. To increase Uthando’s funding and reach further, we then as a company match this donation.
Photo: The Egg and Spoon Race
It is hoped that in time, Uthando SA will facilitate the gap that exists between donations and involvement, and hopefully in the not-too-distant future, clients visiting South Africa will be invited and encouraged to visit any of the various projects that we support through Uthando SA.
In the words of Nelson Mandela, “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”
Photo: The Bumbanani Team