News Cafe Midrand

Dear Customer,Community and Philanthropist

Words cannot capture the immense pride and gratitude that the owners have for their staff who demonstrated extreme support to our customers,for one another and to our business.The staff have always shown up and stayed true to the mission and values of Newscafe Midrand overcoming adversity since opening in 2005.Newscafe Midrand over the years transformed from being the realm of special occasions to become a public place,our community anchor.Our values and beliefs always remaining steadfast. News cafe has remained closed since the inception of the ''LOCK DOWN'' on the 26th March 2020 in line with the government's guidelines and perhaps will continue to remain closed until the full weight of the the infection has been flattened.

South Africa has lost a vast bulk of income due to the ''LOCK DOWN'' and our staff have not been spared,most of whom are waiters who rely on tips to earn an income.Tipping is not optional, it is how they get paid.Working at Newscafe Midrand for our staff is a means to an end.The calculated hourly rate claimed from the UIF, if paid is not sustainable.Besides the paperwork is onerous.Our request and plea to you is simple:If anyone of our staff members has ever made a difference in your life or moved you in some way,we would like to encourage you to make a donation to our Support Fund.All monies will go towards our much loved staff,to aid them in some way as they overcome the uncertain future that we will be closed for.You will not only be supporting our staff but their families.Our staff are family breadwinners.All monies collected will be split equally amongst our beloved staff.

The unprecedented pandemic and the impact on restaurants and bars is a script playing out all over the world.The crises will have a lasting impact on how we eat and how we gather.We rely on razor thin margins and our staff specifically waitrons rely on tips to support their families.We have a huge responsibility to keep our staff employed and we are committed to finding solutions.Their health is of paramount importance.We dont have enough money to help our staff comprehensively while still contemplating the cost of rent,utilities,suppliers and loans.Hence the thought of a Support Fund.We remain upbeat pursuant to our reopening,when the ''LOCK DOWN''is lifted in its absoluteness.We are grateful to our customers and to our community and we will navigate the dynamic situation of this pandemic together.

The Support Fund will be audited,validated and transparent.Hereunder are the details of the Support Fund.

Newscafe Midrand Support Fund

Standard Bank
Account Holder: RBK Trading (Pty) Ltd
Account type: Current
Account number: 421 283 262
Branch Code: 051001

We are committed to our staff,customers and community.On behalf of our staff and ourselves we thank you for your contributions.

The crises is interconnected and we should be banding together as a community.

Rajesh Maharaj, Kamesh Maharajh, Guruduth Jaybelly Baldeo and Bhavna Baldeo
News Cafe Midrand