Well, what a year that was! It started off reasonably well, with most of us looking forward to "twenty plenty", even though we had heard about the Corona Virus rearing its head in other countries. Funny how one always thinks "it won't happen to us"!? Well, we were seriously mistaken this time.
What an absolute mix of emotions and experiences lockdown brought us!
There was desperation as a result of no income. There was bonding with family members from spending the whole day every day at home. There was, of course, also the sad opposite in households who experience domestic abuse. There was anticipation each time our president made a speech. Many people and companies found out that it is possible to work successfully from home. And even now, we're not quite out of lockdown yet, with strict rules regarding mask-wearing and social distancing still in place.
As a result of the pandemic, we also had to call off our annual customer trip, Destination 2020, and have it postponed to 2021. We're going to the same venue, Spain's Canary Islands, in September 2021. Head over to our website for more information. It is a spectacular event to which everyone is welcome, whether you're a customer of MHB or not. You will mix with stylists from all over the world, see top international artists, and have time to relax and enjoy the luxurious Lopesan Resort and Gran Canaria island. I promise you will not regret it.
We have once again been blessed to support the Tehilla Community Collaborative in Elsies River, who has 1779 beneficiaries through their various programs. These include a haven for the homeless, destitute, abused, mentally ill, frail, neglected women and children as well as the elderly. At capacity, they look after 110 adults and 15 children. They also run a much-needed substance abuse rehabilitation program. Outside of the facilities, they feed 500 – 700 people in the community per day. Most of these beneficiaries are patients on TB treatments, ARV's and treatments for chronic illnesses.
We believe that every little bit of support that we can give to our communities has the ability to change someone's life and provide them with hope or ignite that spark which they require to create their future. We encourage you to find a worthy cause in your area to support with whatever you can. Who knows, you might change someone's destiny, and that is the best gift we can give anyone.
A huge thank you to all of you who have supported us during the past year. As tough as the year has been, at least ours is a service which there will always be a demand for, and nobody can take that away from you. My heart goes out to those millions who are unemployed. If I may step on my soapbox for a moment. There is only one way for us to save our country from the corrupt and incompetent elements in the ANC government, and the race-baiting EFF, and that is for all peace-loving South Africans to stand up, stand together and demand change, and vote them out in the next election. Much is being done by various citizen movements to pull people together to make this happen. Move One Million is one such organisation. Whether it's this one, or another, let's get involved, let's make the change happen.
My wish for everyone is a peaceful holiday season. I hope that you will find time to relax and spend time with your families, even if only during the public holidays. I know many salons will be staying open as long as they possibly can to make up for the lockdown period.
Despite all the problems that we're facing in this beautiful country of ours, I'm looking to 2021 with optimism. We've made it through a very tough year economically, so we know what we're capable of, and have all learnt to work a lot smarter. Let's tackle 2021 head-on and do it! See you next year!
Yours sincerely
Chris Stofberg
Managing Director
Modern Hair & Beauty
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