The Healing Minds nonprofit organisation can look forward to baking up a storm and producing a flurry of festive treats thanks to their new state-of-the-art bakery launched at the centre in Walmer township on Monday.
A handover inviting residents and children unveiled the brand-new bakery to supplement sustainability, economic development and community empowerment efforts.
With it, some of the province’s biggest corporates — the Boardwalk Casino and Hotel, Coca-Cola Beverages SA and the Eastern Cape Gambling Board — aimed to leave a lasting impression as part of a project to impact Gqeberha’s poorest communities.
This paved the way for the major businesses to jointly tap into resources geared at social upliftment initiatives empowering the poor and often marginalised.
Founded in 2015 when Elizabeth Mangaliso witnessed the disparity as a municipal refuse collector, Healing Minds feeds an average of 120 mouths daily.
The centre runs a creche for 52 children, an aftercare facility and a feeding scheme.
For women interested in handiwork, a skills transfer programme keeps them busy with activities, including sewing, beadwork, gardening, knitting and cooking.
However, in a game-changing move two years ago, The Boardwalk invited Coca-Cola Beverages SA to partner in a corporate social investment intervention by sponsoring a bakery.
“It’s been a long journey since making contact with the centre,” Coca-Cola Beverages SA regional public affairs, communications and sustainability manager Nolundi Mzimba said.
“When Boardwalk management approached us to partner on this initiative, we didn’t think twice.
“We are always looking for opportunities to collaborate to make a bigger impact in communities where we operate.”
Mzimba said Mangaliso had stated a strong case for Coca-Cola Beverages SA to sponsor a baking area, adding to an existing computer and sewing room.
It was built at a cost of R305,348 and produces 60 loaves of bread at a time.
“Mam’ Elizabeth sat down with us and shared her vision, [noting] what The Boardwalk had done [up to that point],” Mzimba said.
“Sponsoring the bakery was appropriate [as a means] of sustaining the project.”
Construction material was delivered in December 2020 before a contractor, fashioning the bakery inside a 36m² shipping container, completed the layout in May 2021.
It comprises a triple deck with a three-pan oven, a 50-litre dough mixer, a cake mixer, stainless steel table and a 40kg scale bench.
Boardwalk Casino and Hotel general manager Tati Tsunke lauded the project.
“It attests to the fact that we’ve done lots of work,” Tsunke said.
“[Interventions] like this go hand in hand with the strategy of Healing Minds, which is to feed the community.
“A bakery ensures that their feeding plans are sustainable.
“We’re investing more money into getting the centre [the necessary] stock to get the bakery going.
“Coca-Cola Beverages SA has done great work with the infrastructure. We intend to support that.”
Tsunke said the plan was to empower women at the centre through a three-month enterprise development facilitation to produce baked bread on a large scale and supply spaza shops in the community.
Mangaliso, moved by the latest community development initiative at the nonprofit, expressed her appreciation to the corporates.
“Only a few residents started this project, but for walking this long road that started with nothing, we are thankful for the help in getting us to where we are today.”
HeraldLIVE
Walmer nonprofit Healing Minds showcases new community bakery
Sponsored project will help make centre’s feeding plans sustainable
Image: WERNER HILLS
The Healing Minds nonprofit organisation can look forward to baking up a storm and producing a flurry of festive treats thanks to their new state-of-the-art bakery launched at the centre in Walmer township on Monday.
A handover inviting residents and children unveiled the brand-new bakery to supplement sustainability, economic development and community empowerment efforts.
With it, some of the province’s biggest corporates — the Boardwalk Casino and Hotel, Coca-Cola Beverages SA and the Eastern Cape Gambling Board — aimed to leave a lasting impression as part of a project to impact Gqeberha’s poorest communities.
This paved the way for the major businesses to jointly tap into resources geared at social upliftment initiatives empowering the poor and often marginalised.
Founded in 2015 when Elizabeth Mangaliso witnessed the disparity as a municipal refuse collector, Healing Minds feeds an average of 120 mouths daily.
The centre runs a creche for 52 children, an aftercare facility and a feeding scheme.
For women interested in handiwork, a skills transfer programme keeps them busy with activities, including sewing, beadwork, gardening, knitting and cooking.
However, in a game-changing move two years ago, The Boardwalk invited Coca-Cola Beverages SA to partner in a corporate social investment intervention by sponsoring a bakery.
“It’s been a long journey since making contact with the centre,” Coca-Cola Beverages SA regional public affairs, communications and sustainability manager Nolundi Mzimba said.
“When Boardwalk management approached us to partner on this initiative, we didn’t think twice.
“We are always looking for opportunities to collaborate to make a bigger impact in communities where we operate.”
Mzimba said Mangaliso had stated a strong case for Coca-Cola Beverages SA to sponsor a baking area, adding to an existing computer and sewing room.
It was built at a cost of R305,348 and produces 60 loaves of bread at a time.
“Mam’ Elizabeth sat down with us and shared her vision, [noting] what The Boardwalk had done [up to that point],” Mzimba said.
“Sponsoring the bakery was appropriate [as a means] of sustaining the project.”
Construction material was delivered in December 2020 before a contractor, fashioning the bakery inside a 36m² shipping container, completed the layout in May 2021.
It comprises a triple deck with a three-pan oven, a 50-litre dough mixer, a cake mixer, stainless steel table and a 40kg scale bench.
Boardwalk Casino and Hotel general manager Tati Tsunke lauded the project.
“It attests to the fact that we’ve done lots of work,” Tsunke said.
“[Interventions] like this go hand in hand with the strategy of Healing Minds, which is to feed the community.
“A bakery ensures that their feeding plans are sustainable.
“We’re investing more money into getting the centre [the necessary] stock to get the bakery going.
“Coca-Cola Beverages SA has done great work with the infrastructure. We intend to support that.”
Tsunke said the plan was to empower women at the centre through a three-month enterprise development facilitation to produce baked bread on a large scale and supply spaza shops in the community.
Mangaliso, moved by the latest community development initiative at the nonprofit, expressed her appreciation to the corporates.
“Only a few residents started this project, but for walking this long road that started with nothing, we are thankful for the help in getting us to where we are today.”
HeraldLIVE
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