Cannon Asset Managers’ novel approach to Mandela Day
Bella Shongwe distributes food parcels
In full support of Mandela Day, Cannon Asset Managers offered all staff a day off if they participated in Mandela Day. To the surprise of some staff, they found such enrichment that they want to continue with community service, even without the incentive.
In a move to endorse staff support for Mandela Day, Cannon Asset Managers is giving a day’s leave to all those who participated in the Mandela Day community service initiative.
Says Cannon Asset Managers’ CEO, Geoff Blount: “We want to be part of the move to build a better country and we felt that this would be the most appropriate way that the company could throw its weight behind the project.”
The activities they chose ranged from helping to build a garden at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, to buying and distributing food parcels to vulnerable children, to donating blood.
Not needing additional encouragement but inspired by the challenge, private client portfolio manager Tanya King and investment manager Andrew Dittberner went to Chris Hani Baragwanath where they were asked to help develop the garden. As neither had been there before, it became an opportunity to see the world-famous hospital too.
“I was delighted with this chance to give back to the community,” explained King. “When we arrived it was a bare patch of lawn. Just over an hour later, we had created a beautiful garden that the long-term patients will be able to enjoy.”
“I have donated to various charities over the years through monetary donations and old clothes, but I have never actually gone in and got my ‘hands dirty’,” commented Dittberner. “I was shocked to see some of the patients, and how desperate they are, and it made me realize how fortunate I am. I would like to use this as a springboard to become more involved in charitable organizations going forward.”
New business developer Bella Shongwe bought and distributed food parcels to vulnerable children in her community on the east rand. “Doing this really opened my eyes and made me more aware of others. It feels good to know that you are helping others,” she noted, adding that she hoped to make this an annual activity.
