When the floods came, the people of Thabazimbi didn’t wait for help. They became the help.
Limpopo, South Africa (17 March 2025) – Disaster has a way of revealing the heart of a community, and when the floods came to Thabazimbi, that heart beat stronger than ever.
After relentless rain caused the local dam to burst, entire settlements were cut off, roads disappeared beneath the rising waters and people were left stranded with no access to essentials. But where some saw devastation, others saw an opportunity to help. One of those stepping up was Hannes Coetzee, the owner of Thabazimbi SPAR. Alongside a group of determined locals, he wasted no time in mobilising a relief effort.
“Our region was flooded by rains about three times heavier than usual,” Coetzee shared.
“Communities were cut off, and people urgently needed basic foodstuffs. We responded by donating hundreds of meal packs, delivered by helicopter to isolated areas.”
It wasn’t just about food. It was about standing together. Off-road vehicles, canoes, and helicopters, generously volunteered by local owners, became lifelines in the crisis.
And behind every delivery was a community determined to take care of its own.
“The people of Thabazimbi were hit hard by the floods. In such situations, waiting for authorities to mobilise can cost precious time. Fortunately, Thabazimbi has a proactive community who didn’t hesitate to act,” said Mpudi Maubane, PR, Communications & Sponsorship Manager at The SPAR Group.
This is what makes SPAR unique. With a network of around 2,500 stores across South Africa, many independently owned, these businesses aren’t just shops, they’re part of the fabric of their communities.
“Our efforts were all about strengthening our relationship with the communities we serve. Some businesses may say they care, but SPAR demonstrated through action that we genuinely do,” Coetzee added.
SPAR’s dedication doesn’t stop when the waters recede. Beyond immediate disaster relief, they’re committed to fighting food insecurity – an issue affecting nearly 15 million people in South Africa. They support NGOs like Operation Hunger, provide funding and food donations, and work with FoodForward SA to redirect surplus food to those in need. Their warehouses and distribution centres play a vital role in getting edible surplus food to school feeding programmes and beneficiary organisations, ensuring no good food goes to waste while helping to put meals on the table for those who need them most.
The impact goes even deeper. Since 2016, the SPAR Rural Hub Programme has been empowering small-scale farmers by integrating them into the supply chain, providing training, resources, and market access to boost local food production and employment. It’s a practical, long-term solution to food security, sustainability, and economic growth.
Reflecting on South Africa’s Human Rights Month, Maubane highlights the significance of access to food as a fundamental right.
“The most basic right is access to nutritious food. As a society, we must strive to ensure all South Africans have access to food. This is the surest way to build a healthy nation capable of competing on the global stage.”
The Thabazimbi floods may have left destruction in their wake, but they also revealed something truly special… the power of a community that stands together, businesses that lead with action, and a country that refuses to leave anyone behind. And that’s the kind of good news worth celebrating.
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