To mark Women’s Month, Meropa Casino & Entertainment World is celebrating the incredible women in its workplace and lauding the unsung work they do within the community.
While their workdays are dedicated to keeping the heartbeat of Limpopo operating at full strength, the hospitality property is highlighting four special ladies who also make time to help the underprivileged.
In 2021, maintenance handyperson Dimakatso Mashishi was on her way to fetch her son from creche when she saw a young boy with torn school shoes, resulting in her buying him a new pair. “It broke my heart and I vowed to look for families to support. I now have four families that I assist in my neighbourhood with groceries, weekly vegetables, snacks for lunch boxes and clothes, when possible,” said Mashishi.
The work ethic of Meropa’s staff is what keeps customers happy and coming back for more. Marie Manyoha, F&B Manager brings the same energy to her charitable works in her personal life. For the past three years, she has purchased more groceries at a retailer that has a promotion to buy a pair of school shoes for R50 for every R500 spent. “At the end of every year, I buy five to 10 pairs of shoes which I donate to those in need,” she said.
WildThingz pet shop manager Marie Fraser is part of a group that assists the underprivileged with food parcels for car guards in the community. “We also assist with painting creches and houses,” she said.
The last phenomenal woman is hotel receptionist Livhuwani ‘Lihvu’ Kutama, who cooks hot homecooked meals for 15 homeless people in Ladanna, a suburb of Polokwane. “I experienced hunger in my upbringing and I don’t want to see anyone going through the same,” said Kutama. She has become involved in a cause close to her heart, dedicating herself to work on collaborating with Energy FM in the future, aiming to cook and supply food for underprivileged children.
“These are just a few of the remarkable women we celebrate this month. As an organisation, we are privileged to be surrounded by so many inspiring women who have taken the time to provide essential items to those in need, and we celebrate these ladies and thank them,” said Sammy Mokhele, Meropa General Manager.
