Eskom workers do their bit for Cansa

DEDICATION and the commitment to give back saw Eskom employees raise R13 500 in less than two hours for Cansa East London.

Employees yesterday participated in various activities such as a fun walk/run, a session of aerobics as well as a cultural attire parade.

There was also a cancer awareness talk while some employees showed off their cooking skills with a sale of African cuisine including samp, bunny chows, umleqwa (Xhosa chicken), brownies and tripe. All the money raised went to Cansa. Speaking to the Daily Dispatch Collin Reddy, the general manager for Eskom Eastern Cape, said at first the initiative was just about celebrating each other’s heritage but then grew into a fundraising event.

“When you work in an office a lot of the time you can get into a lull, so we wanted to do something that would build up not only staff morale but that would also build up their energy and fitness levels so that they can continue contributing to their work effectively.”

Reddy said it made sense to use the initiative as a way to give back.

Ntombekhaya Mafumbatha, sponsor of the programme said they chose Cansa because they found that many of their own employees were affected by the disease.

“So because we are approaching October breast cancer awareness week we thought it would be best that at this time to make a contribution to Cansa to encourage them to continue the work that they do,” said Mafumbatha.

Sister Lyn England of Cansa was on hand to accept the donation.

“We have no government support so we always appreciate it when someone makes time to raise funds for us, but they have absolutely outdone themselves because we were not expecting this much,” said England.

Employee Celeste Tyobeka said cancer was a silent killer that ripped through many families.

“And the main reason for that is because there is little information or knowledge about it. By assisting Cansa we hope to start a chain reaction where Cansa is able to save more lives,” said Tyobeka. —