THE GOODWILLL PARCEL PROJECT (GWPP) 2012 JOURNEY HAS STARTED

25 May 2012
By Kgabo Mashamaite
Photos: Cpl Itumeleng Makhubela

The sixth Goodwill Parcel Project (GWPP) started in full swing as Massmart Holdings Limited, the largest retail company invited the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans together with senior members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to the breakfast session on 25 May 2012 in Pretoria.

The aim of the breakfast session was to review the achievements of the Goodwill Parcel Project (GWPP) in past year as well as to acknowledge the valued contributions of the food suppliers towards their SANDF GWPP contributions project 2012.

Delivering her address, the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, said that she was touched by the generosity of the corporate sponsor towards the deployed members of the SANDF in the mission areas.

“Our Defence Force is eternally grateful to the sponsors and we appreciate their efforts in bringing happiness to the families of the deployed members of the Defence Force, who also cannot be with their respective families due to their national commitment. Equally, we would also like to extend our deepest gratitude on behalf of the receipients of the parcels that you help us to recognise their sacrifices of offering the services of their children, spouses, parents for our national call and we will eternally be grateful for that.” Minister Sisulu said.

Providing the report on internal and the external missions the SANDF is involved in, Lt Gen Mgwebi, Chief Joint Ops (C Jops) and the GWPP patron, said that the number of the deployed members especially to protect the borders has increased.

“In 2012, we have seen the demand to secure our internal borders to prevent cross border crimes and abalone poaching and therefore, we had to increase the deployment of our companies to eleven, from seven deployed last year. Through this, we have seen a number of successes already, such as the arrest of rhino poachers and the confiscation of rhino horns, confiscation of illicit cigarets and dagga, the recalling from overseas of a shipment of two containers with a millions worth of abalone stuffed inside, among others.” The C Jops said.

According to Mr Graham Rebello, Channel Executive Massmart Holdings Limited, the experience of distributing food parcels to various families is always moving.

“What touches me most is the response of families towards the goodwill parcel. The fact that the SANDF and the business community appreciate the contribution of their family members on the continent is overwhelming.” Rebello said.

Speaking on behalf of the Spouses Forum, Mrs Dinah Masondo appreciated the support from the business community towards helping the forum to continue to look after the families of the deployed soldiers.

It is for that reason that the GWPP will this year, be looking to increase the food parcels from 5000 to 5 500 and hope that as the Massmart Holdings Limited continues to engage with the Massmart food suppliers, will also increase food articles in the parcel. The overall cost of the packaged articles is estimated at about R 2, 5 million.

Mr Graham Rebello, Channel Executive Massmart Holdings Limited acknowledged the valued Massmart food suppliers’ contribution towards the SANDF Goodwill Parcel Project on 25 May 2012 in Pretoria.	The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Ms Lindiwe Sisulu delivering her keynote address during the breakfast session hosted by the Massmart Holdings Limited on 25 May 2012, to review the achievements of the Goodwill Parcel Project.	Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Senior members of the SANDF and representatives of the corporate sponsors attended the Massmart Holdings Limited’s breakfast session on 25 May 2012 in Pretoria.	Lt Gen Derick Mgwebi, C Joint Ops and the patron of the GWPP, provided the report on the SANDF internal and external missions during the GWPP breakfast briefing session hosted by the Massmart Holdings Limited on 25 May 2012 in Pretoria.
Mrs Dinah Masondo appreciated the support from the business community during the Massmart Holdings Limited’s breakfast session on SANDF Goodwill Parcel Project on 25 May 2012 in Pretoria