17 Aug The Collen Mashawana Foundation and the Industrial Development Corporation Join Forces to Rebuild Homes Affected by KZN Flood
Johannesburg, 18 August 2023 – The Collen Mashawana Foundation (CMF) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) today delivered on a promise made to Gogo Majola on 2 June 2023. Through the two entities’ partnership, Gogo Buselaphi Majola is now the proud owner of a fully furnished home, putting her days of living in a self-built mud home to an end.
The IDC and the CMF are proud to announce their joint initiative to provide assistance to families who still continue to be affected by the devastating floods that struck KwaZulu-Natal in 2022. Through this partnership,10 families’ will once more have their dignity restored after losing their homes and belongings during the natural disaster.
“Our partnership with CMF is aligned to the IDC’s standing commitment to support communities affected by natural disasters, amongst other things. We believe that through partnerships such as this one, we can measurably contribute to improving the lives of our people, especially those in remote and rural areas. Today we see not only our partnership with CMF coming into action, but a number of our other strategic partners like the Imbumba Foundation and Ashraful Aid also coming on board to assist with seeing to Gogo Majola’s needs,” says Tshepo Ramodibe, the IDC’s Head of Corporate Affairs.
The collaboration between CMF and IDC brings together the expertise, resources, and commitment required to address the pressing housing needs in the region. The initiative, launched earlier in June, sets out to construct a total of 10 fully furnished homes, equipped with essential amenities such as vegetable gardens, septic systems and Jojo tanks.
Another family in Thornville, Pietermaritzburg, the family of Gogo Mantoro, spent their first night in their newly built and furnished home, having received ownership of their home yesterday. This initiative is not only changing the lives of the 10 families who will be receiving the newly built homes, but also those of community members in those areas.
25 Jobs have been created for local residents in the villages where the homes have been built. For 33 year old Philip Mdu Mantoro, being a part of the team that built his family home has been a life changing experience which has marked the end of his long search for employment. Mantoro has now been taken on permanently as part of the CMF’s house building team. ‘I have no words to thank the CMF and the IDC for what they have done for me, I am beyond grateful for this meaningful opportunity they have presented me with,’ says Mantoro.
Speaking about the initiative, Collen Mashawana, fFounder and Chairperson of the CMF, expressed his gratitude and dedication to the cause: “We are delighted to join forces with IDC to help the people of KwaZulu-Natal in their time of need. Our joint effort is a testament to our commitment to supporting affected communities and restoring their lives and dignity.”
This project has not only created jobs for locals, but has also assisted with the economy of the region. Most of the material used in building and furnishing the houses was sourced from local hardware and furniture stores. “For the IDC, localisation and job creation are key in our operations and we are proud that we have not only built houses for deserving beneficiaries, but have also managed to achieve what we as an organisation strive for in our commercial operations,’ adds Ramodibe.
This collaborative effort showcases the power of public-private partnerships in addressing social challenges and providing meaningful solutions. Both CMF and IDC are fully committed to the recovery and reconstruction phase in KwaZulu-Natal, ensuring that vulnerable groups are assisted and their lives are transformed positively.
For media inquiries and additional information about the initiative, please contact:
Annette Banda
Marketing and PR
063 504 4287
###
Additional Information
– Gogo Gloria Majola isa 65-year-old grandmother of two, from Kwa Deshula Port Shepstone.
– Gogo Makhiba, is a 74-year-old grandmother of 4 with 9 grandchildren, from Pietermaritzburg Mpumelelo.