Bonang Matheba donates proceeds of her Queen B's Gumtree Boutique to the Nelson Mandela Foundation
On Wednesday 16 July 2014, much-loved South African television personality, radio star and businesswoman Bonang Matheba and Gumtree’s Claire Cobbledick jointly donated a cheque of R113 020 to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
The funds are the proceeds of Queen B’s Gumtree Boutique, an online clothing and accessory sale that saw some of Matheba’s finest frocks, trendiest sunglasses, gorgeous jewellery, designer handbags and coveted stilettos go on sale on Gumtree.
“For 10 days only, from 2 to 13 June, 28 of Bonang’s most fabulous fashion items went on sale on Gumtree via Queen B's Boutique,” said Cobbledick.
“Part of the sales process included a letter of motivation, where eager buyers had to provide, in writing, the reasons why they should be chosen as the lucky future owner of one of Bonang’s former favourites. What we found astonishing was the overall buyer commitment to not only Bonang the brand, but also their intention to do something good for the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Buy purchasing an item, they were able to contribute financially to the Foundation, and this was clear in each and every letter we received.”
“It’s great to see people like Bonang doing the work she is doing,” said Sello Hatang, Chief Executive at the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
“As Madiba said, it is important to use your influence to uplift others – and this is exactly what Bonang has done.”
The financial donation will be used to further the work undertaken at the Centre of Memory, home of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, including preservation, research and archiving of Mr Mandela’s personal papers.
Bonang Matheba, Gumtree's Claire Cobbledick and the Foundation CE, Sello Hatang
(Image: Nelson Mandela Foundation)“I’m proud and honoured to be a Mandela Day changemaker,” said Matheba.
“Madiba remains such an inspiration to me – he is the very reason why I am able to do what I do every day – and so being able to give back to the Foundation just a fraction of what he has given me (and us all) is a real honour.
“This year for Mandela Day I was inspired to combine the things I cherish – fashion, shopping and Madiba’s legacy – into a solution that would make a positive difference to the world we live in. Opening up an online boutique and donating the proceeds to the Nelson Mandela Foundation is the realisation of that dream.
“As Tata always said, if you are in a position of influence or fame, you should use it to change people’s lives for the better.”