Bhisho feeds the needy, homeless
Department’s programme to run in 22 centres for three months
YESTERDAY a large number of homeless and disadvantaged people from KwaBhaca (formerly Mount Frere) and surrounding areas turned up to receive a decent meal from the Eastern Cape department of social development.
The department will for the next three months be providing free meals every day to the community through this feeding programme.
Those who queued for the food yesterday told heartbreaking stories of poverty in their rural area.
Patience Mwelo depends on social grants but that does not always guarantee her a wholesome meal every day.
Mwelo, a 69-year-old grandmother of five, said that with so many mouths to feed she sometimes sacrifices her own plate to ensure the grandchildren do not go to sleep on empty stomachs.
“We always run out of food mid month and I end up having to ask neighbours or relatives for food. Sometimes I have to borrow the money and that puts us in more debt. These meals will definitely make a difference, even if it is only for three months,” said Mwelo.
Mzimasi Fihla said he left home more than 25 years ago and had no identity document so he could not apply for a social grant.
He said most of his meals came either from dustbins or passers-by.
“Other nights I sleep in the cold on an empty stomach. It’s a slight relief to know that at least for the next three months food will not be a worry for me – I am just worried about what will happen after that,” said Fihla.
Social development MEC Nancy Sihlwayi said they realised that many people, especially in rural areas, struggled with poverty, unemployment and inequality, and as a department they were responsible to respond to the needier sectors of society.
“We have 22 feeding centres across the province – two in each district municipality – where people are fed daily, and we are expanding on that for these next three months and bringing the food to those who cannot access those centres,” said Sihlwayi. —