Home News Organisations, businesses reach out on Mandela Day

Organisations, businesses reach out on Mandela Day

1135
Autism South Africa in Kimberley said they raised R7 000 and were able to feed 1 000 people during the commemoration of Mandela day.The organisation said they also distributed sweets, facemasks and hand soap to underprivileged households in Homevale. Pictures: Supplied

Non-profit organisations and local businesses in Kimberley reached out to hundreds of underprivileged residents during the commemoration of Mandela Day on July 18, 2020.

The Homevale Community Development Forum said they fed hundreds of residents in Ward 3 and also spoiled children with party packs.

The forum’s chairperson, Fernando Visagie, said they distributed food parcels to needy residents in the ward.

“There are many households that do not have an income or any food during this pandemic.We identified households in Homevale, Homevale Extension, Homelite and the new informal settlement,  Homepark. We have a food distribution programme where we donate food parcels to households.”

He added that 1 200 plates of food were distributed on the day. “We also handed out facemasks to some residents and 680 snack packs to children. We also distributed 200 soap bars to households and educated the residents about the importance of handwashing during this pandemic,” said Visagie.

The owner of Vuyani and Monwabisi Investments, Mandla Staffa, said they also reached out to the homeless on the day.

“We made soup and bread and distributed the food to the homeless people sleeping on the streets in the city as well as those who are searching for work on the corners of Rhodesdene and Northern Cape Technical High School. We are fighting a pandemic and many  people do not even have a cover over their head in this cold. We are all fearful and worried about our health yet there are people left in the cold with nothing to eat. The pandemic has also made searching for employment very difficult for many. The people who are standing on the corners looking for any sort of employment often go home without eating anything all day. A piece of bread can be an entire meal to some people,” said Staffa.

Autism South Africa in Kimberley said they raised R7 000 and were able to feed 1 000 people during the commemoration of Mandela day.

The organisation said they also distributed sweets, facemasks and hand soap to underprivileged households in Homevale.

Previous articleDe Aar Hospital a ‘ticking Covid-19 time bomb’
Next articleSA Rugby settles on double-round Currie Cup for when rugby resumes