New Umbrella Shelters For uMhlanga Rocks Bead Sellers

Key Foundation Sponsors 5 New Umbrella Shelters For uMhlanga Rocks Bead Sellers

Five new thatch umbrella shelters, were officially handed over by the Key Foundation to the traditional craft sellers on Lagoon Drive in Umhlanga

The handover was co-ordinated by the Key Foundation and was attended by officials from the
eThekwini Municipality’s Inland Business Support Unit and the uMhlanga Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP).

During 2012 the UIP approached the Municipal Department of Business Support Unit requesting the upgrade of the extremely dilapidated traders umbrella’s. However, because they were located on private property, municipal policy did not allow for the municipality to fund the upgrade.
The project stalled and then, earlier this year, Dale Staples of the Key Foundation, who in 1984
sponsored the original thatch umbrellas, approached the municipality and the UIP with the offer to
fund the upgrade.

The UIP then co-ordinated efforts by securing the support of the property owners Gotya Props, the
municipality, traders, the contractor and most importantly the Key Foundation.

“The end result is 5 new thatch umbrellas celebrated by the traders and adding value to UIP efforts to improve the overall experience of uMhlanga Rocks. For this we say a very big thank you to the Key Foundation and property owner Gotya Props,” said Brian Wright the UIP project leader.

The Key Cares Foundation was started in 2006 as a way to invest directly into the upliftment of various communities in which the Key Motor Group operates in and impacts on. To make this happen, a percentage of the groups’ operating profit after tax is set aside annually and split between beneficiaries as nominated by each director at Key. Since inception, the Key Foundation has contributed more than R2.7million to various charitable organisations.

In 2010 Dale Southern took over the chairmanship of the foundation with the aim of ensuring the
sustainability and impact of the foundation.

“Our support for this project was not only because of the group’s historic involvement with the traders but because it fits into the ethos of the foundation,” said Dale.

For Andreas Mkhize area manager of the eTM Inland Business Support Unit, the collective effort notonly enhances the area’s aesthetics, but will translate into better business for the traders.”It has been a pleasure working with the UIP and the Key Foundati on and the result is extremely positive,” he said.

The UIP would also like to thank Thatchmaster, who replaced the three original umbrellas and built
two additional ones, for their professionalism and for delivering a quality product on time.