"What a joy it was to enjoy a small performance by members of the Soweto Gospel Choir," says Gladys Bogoshi, CEO of Charlotte Maxeke Hospital.

"We are so grateful to Checkers for this wonderful surprise, as well as the donation of care packages. It has truly lifted our spirits," adds Bogoshi.

Taking place in the hospital's Garden of Recovery, the Soweto Gospel Choir performed five songs including:
  • Hlohonolofatsa
  • Avulekile / One Love
  • Ndikhokhele
  • Pata Pata, and
  • This Little Light of Mine / If You Ever Needed the Lord Before.
Checkers also donated 1 200 care packages that contained snacks, water and essential toiletries to the hospital's healthcare workers. These acted as a token of appreciation for their efforts in the fight against the pandemic.

Included in the care packages are greeting cards drawn by children from early childhood development centres that are supported by Shoprite and Checkers. 

"Covid-19 has taught us many lessons, including who our true heroes are: the people who have been working on the frontlines of this pandemic every single day for almost a year now," said Lunga Schoeman, CSI manager for the Shoprite Group.

"We place great value on the communities we serve and we will continue to support those impacted by this pandemic," adds Schoeman.

Since the start of the pandemic, the group has donated over 12 000 care packages to hospitals in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Free State, KwaZulu Natal and the Western Cape.

For more information, visit www.shoprite.co.za. You can also follow the Shoprite Group on Facebook or on Twitter