CHDM helps beneficiaries in honour of Mandela Day
CHILD-HEADED households, disabled people and child care centres were the main beneficiaries of a 67 Minutes for Mandela Day outreach by the Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) on Tuesday.
CHDM executive mayor Kholiswa Vimbayo, accompanied by a municipal delegation and Intsika Yethu Local Municipality mayor Jongumzi Cengani, visited two families and a child care centre in Cofimvaba and two families in Illinge.
“We are honouring Madiba’s legacy by making the lives of the unfortunate better. He was a man who believed in peace and a better life for all. Instead of hosting luxurious expensive events and wasting money, we must give back to the community,” Vimbayo said.
CHDM had chosen the beneficiaries based on their poor living conditions.
Two families in Cofimvaba received new houses while the Fountain of Hope Child Care Centre in the same town received groceries and appliances.
Nompucuko Njotini, 62, from Foti Mkhwanti Village, who is physically disabled, and Zikhona Frans, 24, from Qamata Village, who is the head of a family of three, received furnished houses with groceries from CHDM.
For years, Frans and her family have been living in a disintegrating hut with the roof patched with plastic bags.
The Fountain of Hope Child Care Centre provides shelter to 25 children who are victims of abuse and neglect and was started five years ago with a vision of taking children off the streets.
“We all know how much Madiba loved children, so it is relevant for us to emulate his humanitarian work by donating to this centre,” Vimbayo said.
The centre received a refrigerator, lounge suite, two wardrobes, microwave and groceries and R13 000 to upgrade its security.
CHDM was assisted by Qhumanco Tradings, Absa and Standard Bank with donations.
Cengani thanked CHDM for the donation within the Intsika Yethu area, saying the municipality was focusing on helping disabled people living in 21 wards.
Illinge resident John Sizani was promised a new house by the end of the month.
The Rep reported (“Illinge man needs help repairs to his RDP house”, March 3 2017) about a man who lived in a dilapidated house for four years.
“We saw the story in The Rep and we thought we should do something about this. For now Sizani is going to live in a temporary home while is new house is being built,” said Vimbayo.