November - Department of Defence

Mr Paul Myeza, Managing Director of Sanlam, receives a certificate from theChief of the SANDF, Gen Godfrey Ngwenya.Gala eveningAt the Gala evening held at the StGeorge's Hotel in Pretoria, theGoodwill Parcel Project yet again providedproof of the selflessness of peoplesupporting peace and prosperity.On 12 September 2008 high-profilemembers of the SANDF and the privatesector were invited to pledge theirsupport to the deployed soldiers asway of uplifting their morale.The Master Chief Warrant Officerof the SANDF, MCWO JohanScheepers (Chairperson of theGoodwill Parcels Project), said thatthrough various sponsorships the projectstood at R4 000 000 this year. As hewas the programme director at thegala evening he called upon the representativesof the various organisationsto give their pledges.Mr Paul Myeza, ManagingDirector of Sanlam, said he was gratefulfor the efforts of the sponsorsbecause he believed it was the rightthing to do. He said that they had highesteem for and also prided themselveson the troops deployed to solveAfrica's problems. His hope was to seethe end of peacekeeping missions oneMr Graham Rebello, Massmart Channel Executive: Massmart HoldingsLimited, and Ms Busisiwe Ngwenya, the Chairperson of the SANDF SpousesForum, witnessing the packing of family hampers for the Goodwill ParcelProject 2008.day, but until then they would stilllend a hand.The then Deputy Minister ofDefence, Mr Mluleki George, commendedthe sponsors for their commitmentand contribution, saying itwould not go unnoticed. He said theGoodwill Parcel Project was a sign ofgiving back to the community andmust get the recognition it deserved."Since 1994 our democracy has beenstriving for peace on the African continent.The SANDF has become instrumentalin ensuring this," he said. Healso said the United Nations and theAfrican Union had congratulatedthe SANDF on their well disciplinedsoldiers.As an attempt to keep the soldiers'spirits high, Mr George said they hadalready managed to transport some ofthe parcels. Some of the sponsors whogave their pledges included Sanlam,Old Mutual, the Absa Group, SAArmy Foundation, SAFI, Liberty Life,Clinix Health Group, Metropolitan,SAAF, Absa Consultants, Novare,Maxi Credit Solutions, SAMHS,Avbob, Chaplain Services, BibleSociety of SA and Joint Operations.Packing of family hamperpacksOn Friday, 10 October 2008, SASoldier was again invited to witnessthe packaging ritual involved in familyhampers (commodities and gifts)for the Goodwill Parcel Project 2008 at10 Air Depot in Thaba Tshwane. In aninterview with SA Soldier, Ms BusisiweNgwenya, wife of the Chief of theSANDF and Chairperson of theSANDF Spouses Forum, said thatSANDF soldiers shared a generalresponsibility for all humanity inbuilding a better world."It is hoped the Goodwill ParcelProject, the Spouses Forum, MassmartHoldings Limited and other contributorswill be an inspiration to sons,daughters, mothers and fathers in uniformthat aid the desperate souls onour continent or elsewhere in theirunselfish, self-giving for the cause,which creates happiness and givespurpose to life and human existence,"said Ms Ngwenya.NO VEMB ER 2 0 0 8 • S A S O L D I E R19