Cycling club houses Matthys family
Lebogang Baingapi | Thursday March 3, 2016 16:56
The president of the cycling club, Philip Lisindi, said they selected the Matthys family to be their beneficiary in 2015 because of the ordeal that befell them.
The cycling club started spearheading the construction of a fully furnished three-bedroomed house in Jwaneng Unit 8 for the family, which took eight months to be completed. Chairman of Corporate Social Investment at Jwaneng Mine, Tumelo Ntlhayakgosi, said the house was completed well on time and within budget and it was a display of quality work.
He said the house, worth P450,000 was put together through collective efforts of the club, Jwaneng Mine and the Jwaneng Town Council. He said the club would continue to show compassion and be visible, as well as partner with other organisations to make an impact in the society.
Jwaneng Mine corporate and communication manager, Montlenyane Baaitse, commended the club, stating that the gesture is in line with Debswana’s ‘show we care’ value which speaks of caring for each other, the community and the environment they operate in.
“’We care’ value also calls on us to always think about the consequences of what we do so that our contribution to the world is real, sustainable and leaves a positive impact”, she added.
She said Debswana Jwaneng Mine employees have a strong passion for volunteerism because they truly believe it embodies the power of social responsibility and accountability. She said when the local authorities approached the mine about the Matthys family situation, they rose to the occasion and championed their civic engagement principle through the employee-led initiative.
“The response by the cycling club to build the Matthys family a house was positive. The club has grown in leaps and bounds and accumulated P375,000 in 2015 and we are looking forward to better results this year”, said Baaitse.
The head of the house, Koos Matthys, could not hide his excitement at having a place called home again. He extended his gratitude to the mine for rescuing him during his time of need when his family was living in a tent. He said that shelter is an important aspect of life and his dignity has been restored.