Mandela Day deliveries keep hunger at bay for 200 Witzenberg citizens

A reach-out programme supported by Perdekraal East Wind Farm has ensured that some of the most vulnerable in its neighbouring communities were able to celebrate this year’s Mandela Day with a hot meal.

The socio-economic development team at the 110 MW Western Cape project teamed up with a local youth charity, Witz Events Network, for the nationwide day of action against poverty, held annually on July 18.

The annual Mandela Day aims to eliminate malnutrition in South Africa by 2029

The elimination of malnutrition and food insecurity by 2029 are among the ten-year goals set by the Mandela Day Foundation, which is dedicated to upholding the ‘active citizen’ legacy of the country’s first black President, the late Nelson Mandela.

This year’s call to work together and contribute to building better and safer communities was given added urgency by the extra hardships of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions.

With wind farm funding, Witz Events Network provided cooked meals to 100 youngsters and another 100 sick and elderly people in the Witzenberg Area towns of Ceres, Nduli, Bella Vista and Prince Alfred Hamlet.

Hampers containing fruit juice, sanitizers, soap and fabric face masks were also handed out, helping recipients to stay safe and reduce the spread of the virus.

Warrick Alexander, Centre Manager with the non-profit organisation, which supports vulnerable households, including those affected by tuberculosis, said: “We managed to distribute 100 tasty hamburgers for youth and children, in addition to the cooked meals for the elderly.”

The 110MW Perdekraal Wind Farm has been developed, is being constructed and will be operated by Mainstream for our Africa joint venture, Lekela Power. When commissioned later this year, it will have the capacity to generate 368 800 GWh/year of clean, renewable power into South Africa’s national power grid, equivalent to the annual energy needs of 111,118 homes.