GILLIAN KLAWANSKY
However, there was much drama in the days leading up to the event, held at the Sandton Convention Centre and attended by about 1 750 people. First, caterers Stan & Pete lost their kashrut licence just six days before the annual premier charity gala dinner. Then headline act Johnny Clegg cancelled.
What does one do in such a situation? “You can either fall apart or you can put your trust in the Almighty, as the Torah says you should,” said Miracle Drive founder and director Rabbi David Masinter during his address to the audience.
“There are always bigger issues. You just keep focused, you do what you have to do and things work out miraculously. After that, you call up Catering By Riva, Stan Smookler and Brent Varcoe from Bidfood, and you make it their problem! Then you call Choni G and mystery musical guest Vusi Mahlasela and you say: ‘The entertainment is your problem!’ And things work out for the better. I’m also so grateful to all the kosher butcheries that rallied behind me.”
Indeed, all those called upon took potential problems and turned them into solutions.
It turned out to be an evening underpinned by positivity. Culinary concerns were laid to rest as everyone dined on delicious smoked salmon, chicken and vegetables, and decadent chocolate desserts.
Choni G and his band opened the Miracle Drive’s proceedings with a rousing rendition of Salaam and then performed numbers that set the tone for an inspiring evening. Comedian Mark Banks was MC and kept guests laughing, specially about the constant development in the surrounding Sandton area, calling it “the only construction site in the world with its own shopping centre!”
And when the mystery guest artist, who turned out to be South African music legend Vusi Mahlasela, performed his song Say Africa, the spirit of ubuntu which underpins the Miracle Drive was undeniable.
The Miracle Drive spurs Chabad’s charity work through programmes that help to make a positive difference in the country and projects designed to uplift our community’s vulnerable children, as well as the elderly.
In addition to their donations, Miracle Drive dinner attendees were given the gift of doing their own acts of kindness. Robby Stoller of Dangee Carken footwear brand conceived the idea of sponsoring a pair of children’s shoes for each couple who attended to donate to someone less fortunate and help give them direction in life.
“Every morning we make a brocha on our shoes – because it’s the direction of our shoes today that determines the rest of our lives. If we get our direction right today, we’ll achieve what we have to,” said Rabbi Masinter. “Let’s change our world for good!”
Echoing this message of hope and kindness at the dinner were the two guest speakers: community leader Rabbi Avraham Tanzer, the founding rabbi of Glenhazel shul, and Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba.
Echoing the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s message that the Jewish people have a home in South Africa until Mashiach comes, Rabbi Tanzer delivered an address of hope centred on two words: “Don’t despair.”
He said: “This country of ours went through a decade of hell. Today it’s over, we have a new president. We have no guarantees, but we have one thing – hope. Don’t despair. Optimists don’t say there are no problems, they say: ‘Do something about it.’”
Providing food for thought, Tanzer echoed a question asked by his friend Michael Kaufman in his memoir, In One Era, Out the Other: “Does life need to be perfect to be wonderful?”
Added Tanzer: “It’s up to you to make the most of life.”
He concluded with a quote from Albert Einstein: “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
“Choose to live your life by the latter view,” urged the rabbi.
Mayor Mashaba echoed this positivity. He acknowledged and spoke in detail about the seemingly insurmountable obstacles he encounters in his work as Johannesburg mayor – but he stressed the importance of hope.
The mayor also explained the important role of the private sector in driving business and initiatives such as the Miracle Drive. “Government doesn’t have the capacity to meet the needs of everyone in the city,” he said, “which is why we need more private and public collaboration, especially for our most vulnerable people.” He concluded by saying: “I never thought I’d be the mayor. I did it to save my country. It’s almost impossible, but it’s the most rewarding job.”
Among the top prizes on the night were the Nissan X-Trail, valued at R480 000, and a R200 000 Yamaha grand piano.
