Ray of hope for dumped baby
THE Sizwe Kupelo Foundation has stepped in to try and help a nine-month-old baby, born with a deformed leg, who was dumped by her biological mother in a village home in Ntlaza near Libode earlier this year.
The baby was left in the care of an elderly pensioner, Mandunakazi Mthambo of Mkhankatho village in Ntlaza, in May. “She [biological mother] arrived here and told me that she had been impregnated by my grandson and that she was leaving the baby here,” Mthambo, 64, told the Daily Dispatch yesterday. “I protested, saying I was very old, but she forcefully left the child. I had no choice but to take care of the baby.”
The baby’s alleged biological father had left Mkhankatho in search of employment.
Mthambo said the mother had told her she lived in Zinkumbini village in Libode, and that the child did not receive a social grant. But upon visiting social workers in Libode, Mthambo discovered the mother was drawing a child welfare grant for the baby and her two other children.
“I was then told that in order for me to get a social grant for the baby, I will have to bring her mother with me. But I don’t even know where to look for her,” Mthambo said. The baby does not yet have a birth certificate.
But Mkhankatho-born philanthropist and provincial health visit spokesman Sizwe Kupelo is working hard to ensure the baby receives all her “rights as enshrined in the country’s Constitution”. Kupelo, the founder and patron of the Sizwe Kupelo Foundation, told the Dispatch they had learnt of the baby and Mthambo’s plight through his sister, who was Mthambo’s neighbour.
Kupelo said the foundation was also working with private doctors and would ensure that the baby’s deformed leg was operated on.
“Since its establishment, the foundation has assisted about 50 children who had no access to social grants. But this case is special. We will make sure that she gets a social grant and also a birth certificate,” he said, adding they would ensure that social workers assessed the baby.
The foundation has posted the baby’s touching story on its Facebook page, asking for donations for her.
“We now appeal to members of the public to donate toys, blankets, clothes and other essentials for this baby,” reads the post. Kupelo told the Dispatch yesterday the post had been viewed more than 20 000 times.
He emphasised that they were not looking for money or to open a trust fund for the baby. “What we encourage is drop-offs of donations.”
● Donations can be dropped off at 14A Greenville Street, Berea, East London or at office 51 at The Mall, Madeira Street, Mthatha. People who wish to donate can also phone Ayabulela on 043-726-8134. —