BIDVEST GROUP DOES IT FOR THE NEEDY
Nie Cele
Tswarello Monyane
The plight of Quadriplegics and paraplegics in South Africa will change for the better, thanks to a donation of wheelchairs by the Bidvest Group staff and their families.
Back to the story. Throngs of Bidvest Group staff members and their families converged at the Bidvest Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg. This was in support of the annual Unity Walk and to raise awareness about the association. They walked a six kilometer distance starting from the stadium and back to.
Organizers’ said this Unity Walk is in its sixth year, and has become nationwide walk among the staff and their families and takes place simultaneously in four major cities, Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.
They further revealed that it was launched in 2010, with Johannesburg event hosting a sizable 18 000 people. But this year, the event has expanded immensely across all four regions and in excess of 80 000.
CEO of The Bidvest Group, Brian Joffe generously committed to donate one wheelchair for every 75 employees that complete the walk as well as one wheelchair for every seven media people who walk.
“The walk is a fun family event done in the name of goodwill as we walk for those who can’t. It is a day in which The Bidvest Group companies can also celebrate this beautiful country, our health and our families,” Joffe said.
Ari Seirlis, CEO of the QUADPARA Association of South Africa (QASA) said,“Quadriplegics and paraplegics in South Africa are compromised by reduced mobility and access to mobility aids. The walk is a very powerful event that allows this association the opportunity to provide mobility through seating solutions for this community. The sweat and tears throughout the walk on brought tears of joy and freedom through the distribution of wheelchairs by QASA for people that do not enjoy the same mobility. The association is extremely grateful on behalf of all people with mobility impairments that the staff of Bidvest unite in a walk to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities, especially those with mobility impairments.”
A drunk with fatique couple Nomsa and Bheki Masoko, told this publication that more companies needs to join the bandwagon of this good gesture.
“There is shackles of poverty and dire situations in every corner of this country. And government alone can never defeat that. But corporate world and the society at large can help minimize these problems. It’s a good thing.” They concurred.
Upon completion the event ended with a blistering entertainment by the hip hop sensation Cassper Nyovest, much to the delight of the packed stadium.
Did you know?
1. The most entries received for this year’s walk came from Bidvest Protea Coin, Bidvest Prestige Cleaning as well as the Bidvest TMS group.
2. More than 300 wheelchairs were donated.
