South Africa

Aspen shares the Madiba magic

Aspen's Johannesburg office participated in the 2011 Nelson Mandela Day campaign, which was initiated by the former president, and which calls on society to make a meaningful difference in the lives of disadvantaged communities.

Aspen's inaugural Mandela Day campaign took the form of a multi-phased initiative intended to mobilise employees to give back to their communities. The Rekopane Inclusive Development Centre based in Germiston, Gauteng, was selected as Aspen's 2011 beneficiary.

Employees volunteered to contribute to the program through donations as well as physically participating in improving the environment for the some 50 previously disadvantaged mentally and physically challenged children who are based at the Centre.

Numerous activities were carried out such as cleaning and re-painting the inside of the centre, refurbishing the bedrooms with new curtains and bedding, improving the bathrooms and electricity supply, landscaping the gardens and installing an irrigation system, creating outdoor play areas, planting a vegetable garden, makingimprovements to the kitchen – which included new equipment, and enhancing the therapy room and various entertainment areas of the centre.

The spirit of the Aspen team, who served with smiles, was incredible. Nothing was too much trouble for them and they opened their hearts on this very special occasion – giving generously in so many ways.

We look forward to repeating this act of goodwill in 2012.