Miniacs convoy gives back to community
67 Minis, 67km's, 67 drivers, 67 tags, and 67 minits of painting is the theme for this year’s Mini Drivers South Africa’s (SA's) Mandela Day Charity Drive.
Mini Drivers SAs motto is “we put charity first”, and was established in December 2011, with the aim of bringing together Mini drivers across South Africa to take part in charity and social activities.
Throughout the year, Mini Drivers SA has a calendar of events that they adhere to as a part of their contribution to the welfare of the community.
On the calendar this year was a charity run for Mandela Day, in partnership with Auto Alpina, Boksburg.
According to Remmone Mareme, founding member of Mini Drivers SA, the Mini Nelson Mandela Day’s aim was to break the record for the largest parade of Minis in Africa.
“Unfortunately, we only made it to 91 cars; we were nine cars away from breaking the record,” he said.
Miniacs, as they call themselves, came from as far as, Soweto, Rustenburg, Vaal, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Port Elizabeth to gather at Auto Alpina Mini in Boksburg, to give to the less fortunate.
The streets of Boksburg came alive as a rainbow of Mini Coopers of all colours, makes and designs convoyed in front of Auto Alpina Mini for registrations and breakfast.
They then made their way to The Amakhaya/Rethabile Children’s and Community Project – a five roomed home of solitude and care for children from Lenasia South and neighbouring areas to paint their walls, have a braai, and give them all sorts of goodies.
Malambola Madida Shakes, from the Miniacs Mpumalanga branch, says that charity is close to his heart.
“I’m here to paint and give my time to the children, and I also want to meet new friends,” he said.
“We’ve got a relationship with Mini Drivers SA. We partner with them in our involvement with charity, and we also assist them with money,” said Jacques Roux, Mini sales manager Auto Alpina Boksburg.
He also adds that in May, they were both involved in raising R62 000, which they handed over to St Francis Children’s Home in Boksburg.
Elenor Joyce Naicker is the founder of Amakhaya Rethabile Children’s and Community Project and says that the mission of the home is based on Isaiah 58:12 which reads: “Go out and rebuild the community, restore, repair and unite”.
She says that her vision is to see all the children in the home reconciled to their parents.
“We have 16 children in the home aged between three years and 22 years, some of which are infected, affected and/or abandoned. Today I feel so overwhelmed and so grateful, because this is not just a job, God has called me.
“I believe that 67 minutes happens every day, and I thank Mini Drivers SA and Mini, Boksburg, for choosing us. I encourage them not to stop, but to continue helping others,” said Joyce.
Remmone adds that there were just over 200 people who were part of the 67 Minits Charity Drive, and that Madiba would be very proud of them, because he’s always preaching about helping the children.
“Our next charity event is a roadtrip to Umlazi in Durban on the 30th of August.”
Pls 41v1-3
Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;
the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them—
they are counted among the blessed in the land—he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed
and restores them from their bed of illness.