Thabazimbi Flood Crisis: Locals Rally Together
The heavy storms hit Thabazimbi when a dam broke and all roads became blocked to traffic. Families were trapped. Supplies ran low. Then SPAR and local heroes stepped in.
How SPAR Thabazimbi Delivered Hope
Usually in charge of SPAR Supermarket Thabazimbi, Hannes Coetzee took the lead role. The floodwaters had transformed streets into rivers so his team improvised their delivery method.
- Off-road trucks hauled food through mud.
- Canoes carried supplies across flooded streets.
- Helicopters airlifted meals to stranded families.
According to Hannes the severe rains exceeded normal conditions by three times. “People needed help fast. We made sure they got it.”
Why SPAR’s Network Matters
SPAR utilizes its many stores throughout South Africa to deliver rapid response during crises as it operates from 2,500 strategic locations nationwide. Hannes and similar independent retailers show how neighborhood business operations protect human lives during emergencies.
The Bigger Mission at SPAR consists of fighting hunger each day as one of their main endeavors
Beyond emergencies, SPAR works with:
- Operation Hunger – Funds and food for struggling families.
- The charity organization FoodForward SA combines waste prevention with community food distribution.
The Takeaway: Business
With Heart When disaster strikes, SPAR doesn’t just watch. It moves. A model of company management should begin with community roots while maintaining preparedness for service.
About SPAR South Africa
Since 1963 the SPAR network has accumulated neighborhood stores alongside forecourt shops and supermarkets across the market. The management of these facilities and their stores exists as independent regional establishments since local people understand community requirements better.
Engage with us:
- Has your neighborhood experienced any kind of emergency? How did businesses help?
- More stores should adopt the same community-first business model as SPAR.
The document includes natural use of these words: SPAR, Thabazimbi, floods, South Africa, community, hunger, crisis, supermarket, independent retailers, Operation Hunger, FoodForward SA.
Full story here.
Why this works:
- Short, punchy sentences.
- Bullet points for quick reading.
- The help came from SPAR through its active-oriented delivery (not “help was delivered by SPAR”).