“In the 32 years that I've worked at Stellenbosch's Police Station, it was the first time that we received this kind of visit from our community. Normally we would go out to the community on Mandela Day to do good. Today we received so much good from Stellenbosch University and its service provider community. We are deeply thankful."
These were the words of gratitude from Captain Nathalie Martin, Stellenbosch Police Station's communication officer, thanking SU's Facilities Management team and their service providers who came out in full force to paint, clean, assist with maintenance and do whatever it took to give back to the people that protect Stellenbosch.
And like last year on Mandela Day, when this team worked for a couple of weeks to help improve the AF Louw Primary School, our colleagues from FM, their service providers, and contractors gave of their valuable time to make a difference in the work environment of our Police force on Stellenbosch, the “people who keep us safe," as Chief Director Nicolette van den Eijkel said.
Once again, this brilliant idea came from Aloma Fourie, Manager: maintenance planning at FM's Property Services. She and Robert Todkill, FM's technical advisor at Property Services, have once again taken the lead and mobilised FM's staff and service providers to take hands and create a better working environment for the SAPS. “We thought it is time that someone give back to the people who never receive the goodwill they deserve. They keep us safe, day and night. This is the least we could do," said Todkill.
It was indeed a hive of activity on SAPS premises in Du Toit Street on Madiba's birthday. “We fixed pipes, toilets, basins, tiles, and paving. We cleaned the cells, the walls, the floors, and the garden, fixed window frames, fixed and cleaned gutters and painted where needed. We even provide them with a complete structural engineers report they can submit to the Department of Public Works to motivate for much-needed maintenance to the building," said Fourie.
The team used high-pressure equipment to clean the whole building, fixed door frames, and glass, and even ensured that the residents of the single quarters can enjoy a leakage-free shower system in a long time. “There was a faulty pipe and leak that we picked up and fixed," said Todkill. Furthermore, the team fixed broken lights, unblocked the stormwater and sewage drains, and disinfected the pipes and drains.
“Nelisa Mpama, from our environmental sustainability team, and some of the staff members helped with a brand-new garden for the Police Station and even introduced them to SU's three-bin recycling system," said Aloma.
Together with Aloma, Robert and Nelisa, they also had the helping hands from the rest of their Mandela Day organising committee of Emile Maritz, Patrick Esterhuizen, Niven Adonis, Alfonso Bailey, Melany le Roux and Cleo Julies. A huge thank you to our FM service providers of Bidvest (who donated a great lunch for staff who came to help), and:
- Servest
- DJ Hansen Gardening
- Paving Expert
- Waste Plan
- Stellenbosch Woodcutters
- Triple Desire
- Indawo
- Emminence Fixing Solutions
- Eikestad Maintenance
- ELTB Construction
- ASR Glass, ZICM
- Ingelos
- Gramwill Signs
- Tsebo
- Aqua Power Jet
- Winelands Renovations
- OBB
- Ultibuild Consultants
- CBD Plumbing
- Pinpoint leak detection
- Plumb Guarantee.
Thank you so much to you all.
