World Kindness Day Spotlight

This World Kindness Day, we recognise the beauty of compassion and the individuals who make kindness a guiding force in their lives. Agrimark is proud to highlight three of our employees—Leonie Lemmer, Nabu Basadien, and Michael Abrahams—whose acts of kindness extend far beyond the workplace and yet, aligns with Agrimark’s purpose of leaving stakeholders better off.

Leonie Lemmer: A Voice for the Vulnerable

For Senior Compliance Officer, Leonie Lemmer, kindness means speaking up for those who cannot. Although Leonie now lives in Malmesbury, her roots lie in Touwsrivier in the Karoo, where she grew up and still has friends and close ties to the community. 

Her deep connection to the Karoo landscape and wildlife ignited her response to a troubling situation she learned about last year: countless tortoises in the region were dying as they attempted to cross railway tracks. Trapped between the rails, the tortoises were unable to escape, often suffering in the intense heat or being struck by passing trains.

“I couldn’t bear the thought of them suffering,” Leonie recalls. She reached out to the NSPCA’s Wildlife Protection Unit and shared her findings. Together with Transnet, they began working on a culvert system that would allow the tortoises a safe passage. While the project is underway, regular patrols now rescue any tortoises in danger, bringing them to veterinarians for treatment before releasing them back into nature.

Leonie’s dedication serves as a reminder of the difference one person can make when they choose to act. “Animals can’t speak for themselves,” she explains. “They need us to be their voice.”

Nabu Basadien: Nourishing Bodies and Spirits

Agrimark Supply Chain Front Desk Receptionist, Nabu Basadien has made a life-long commitment to helping others, rooted in her own experiences of hardship. Nabu co-manages a soup kitchen with her friend, Maria Wilskut, where they prepare meals for over 150 children in the Vlakkeland community, giving these young ones not only food but a sense of security and care.

Each week, Nabu and Maria cook wholesome meals like macaroni & mince, sweetcorn & beans, chicken breyani & sandwiches; sometimes reaching into their own pockets to cover the cost of food and supplies. During the holidays, they make an extra effort to include treats, fruit and festive items, making sure each child feels valued. “What inspires me to help is the fact that I went through hard times as a child,” Nabu says. “Now, I just want to make a difference, especially in children’s lives.”

Through her kindness, Nabu brings hope and joy to children who may otherwise go without. “God has helped me so I can help others,” she reflects.

Michael Abrahams: Building a Safe Haven Through Sport

For Senior Warehouse Assistant, Michael Abrahams, kindness is all about creating safe spaces for the children in and around his community. Co-founding a youth rugby clinic in Wellington, with his friend, Michael offers over 100 young people a refuge from the difficulties of their environment, where gang violence and challenging home circumstances can often cloud their futures.

Meeting every Saturday, Michael and his team teach the children not only about rugby, but about friendship, resilience, and personal growth. “We’re giving them a safe haven,” Michael explains. Michael also provides snacks for the children, at times personally covering the cost to ensure no child is left hungry.

Through rugby, Michael encourages discipline, respect, and hope in these young athletes. His goal is simple: to make a difference. “If I can make a difference in just one child’s life, I’ve already achieved what I set out to do.”