The staff of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA were left feeling encouraged and in awe as they extended their heartfelt gratitude to the volunteers who dedicated their 67 minutes of service at its facility on Mandela Day.
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“When 167 extra pair of hands show up to work, we wish every day was Mandela Day,’ said spokesperson for the organisation, Belinda Abraham.
‘We were privileged to witness an incredible show of community spirit in a way that truly honours the legacy of Nelson Mandela.’
Individuals from various corners of Cape Town joined hands to serve animals, embodying the values of compassion, empathy and service that Mandela so passionately advocated for in his lifetime.
One of the tasks undertaken by the volunteers during their transformative 67 minutes of service, was the construction of kennels using wood from donated pallets.
This extremely physical activity, undertaken in groups, saw 17 sturdy kennels being built throughout the day.
Each kennel will be distributed to deserving pet owners in areas of high deprivation over the next few days, according to Abrahams.
‘We have seen first-hand the impact of the cold, wet weather on animals and we’re delighted to be able to gift these kennels to much loved animals whose owners simply do not have the means to provide their dogs with a shelter of their own,’ she added.
Those not involved in the kennel building, armoured themselves in white and came together to give the organisation’s exterior and interior walls a fresh coat of paint, breathing life into the tired structures.
‘Everything looks so fresh and new and the transformation is energising,’ commented Abrahams.
In addition to the labours of love, the organisation received an overwhelming outpouring of love by way of generous contributions of dog food, blankets, washing powder and essential supplies that contribute to the day-to-day care of the animals in the facility.
Touched and inspired by the show of support, CEO of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, Mqabuko Moyo Ndukwana, expressed his immense gratitude to all those that volunteered and contributed to another successful Mandela Day campaign.
‘We are humbled by the incredible display of community and encouraged in the knowledge, that so many hands and hearts stood ready to serve animals,’ said Ndukwana.
‘To each and every volunteer, Thank you so much for the investment of your time, energy and resources. You made a very real difference and we are deeply grateful for your support.’
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Picture: Supplied