We dedicated Madiba Day to change others but changed ourselves in the process.

The social committee at Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing head office in Somerset West decided to celebrate Madiba’s legacy by collecting non-perishables from Tru-Cape’s staff for the Somerset West Night Shelter.

Social committee co-ordinator Nicole Roux explains: “We decided to use the budget we had to serve a lunch for our 35 staff in exchange for asking them to bring items to give to the shelter. Our goal was to do something “life changing” for someone else but also get the whole office involved.

“Everybody was so amped and positive about the cause. They all brought something from as small as a tube of toothbrush and other toiletries to tinned goods and blanket. There were so many things it filled a car boot.”

Nicole says when they arrived at the shelter, they were brought to tears: “We were shocked to see first hand the conditions they lived in – a very real reminder of how fortunate we are but the smiles on their faces and the emotional warmth we felt when handing over our donation, was an amazing sight! We set out to change someone else’s lives and perhaps we did but we also changed our own lives which was so much more rewarding.

“I think we all realised how privileged we are and that giving to others, makes a big difference to the giver as well as the receiver” she says.

Jo Swart, Honorary Chair of the Somerset West Shelter said, “The staff who runs the Somerset West Night Shelter are overwhelmed by the increased support the shelter is receiving. We, in turn, are able to provide a better support base for all those seeking refuge and support at the shelter. We are not only able to do a much better job than ever before, but are also able to help others who are helping the homeless. Soup and blankets are given on a regular basis to a team led by Van-essa Willis-Schoeman who goes out every night to assist a group or around 40 to 50 street people who are struggling to survive.”