Motsepes spread cheer
Schools, churches also benefit
SOUTH African billionaire Patrice Motsepe spread Christmas cheer in the Buffalo City Metro (BCM) yesterday when he personally handed over more than 2 000 toys to children from all around the metro.
Motsepe and his wife, Precious Moloi-Motsepe, yesterday also launched a new project which is set to place a special focus on schools and religious formations.
The foundation donated an amount of R150 000 to churches and schools around the area.
Moloi-Motsepe said the foundation has to date formed 26 development forums around the country since its inception in 1997.
“The Eastern Cape is the first province where we have introduced the new focus area of development,” said MoloiMotsepe.
The billionaire couple was at NU 12 in Mdantsane where they were welcomed by the acting mayor Ncedo Kumbaca and religious leaders.
Kumbaca said the city welcomed the donations from the foundation.
“We appreciate this initiative by the foundation. It has brought smiles to the city. In all that we had planned for our people for this festive season, this is an add-on that will make the festive season a bit more festive for our people,” said Kumbaca.
Motsepe handed over cheques to Nyameko High School, Fanti Gaqa Primary School, Nondlwana Methodist Church, Assemblies of God and Saint Francis Anglican Church.
He said the projects were identified through consultation with the leadership of the churches and of the schools.
“We have since learnt as a foundation that the most important thing about giving is to listen to the people and hear from them what they deem as important,” said Motsepe yesterday.
Nyameko High School principal Thulani Mahlambeni, who received the cheque on behalf of the school, said they would use it to build a science laboratory and a library.
The billionaire also took the opportunity to announce where he stood politically.
“I have always been a member of Nelson Mandela’s organisation. However, the foundation is for everyone,” said Motsepe. — simthandilef@dispatch.