From a tycoon to a pupil, helping hands stretch out

SIKHO NTSHOBANE and SIVENATHI GOSA

For many years, Tsolo-born Nzongwana Mthengi put on a coat to supplement his three worn blankets when going to bed on cold winter nights.

But now the 90-year-old Mbutho village resident has a warm new blanket, thanks to the village’s most famous son and mining tycoon, Mxolisi Hoboyi, 44, who donated blankets, flasks, sanitisers and face masks to 73 elderly people in Mbutho yesterday.

Hoboyi spent R50,000 buying everything and transporting it from Mpumalanga, where he is based.

His deeds have earned him cult status among the rural folk of Mbutho.

For Hoboyi, who started out as a mineworker before working his way up to being a mining boss, it is his way of thanking the village elders for showering him with blessings.

“Winter can be brutal here in Mbutho,” Mthengi said.

“I’ve never owned a brandnew blanket and the ones I have are really old. Most winter nights I had to wear a coat when going to sleep.”

The donations were part of Hoboyi’s annual winter blanket drive, which he started two years ago with 15 blankets.

In 2019, the number of beneficiaries grew to 30.

His influence in the village stretches beyond helping the elderly as he has raised more than R1m since 2013 towards helping the people of Mbutho.

He has bought uniforms for pupils and sports equipment for schools.

In 2013, he established an education trust fund for top pupils from area schools.

He said the village was characterised by high unemployment and illiteracy, and most residents depended on social grants to survive.

“I am where I am because of the prayers of the elderly people in my village.

“If you want blessings, you must take care of them. These people have made me and I will never forsake them.”

Meanwhile, in East London, Lilyfontein pupil Kate Page has been collecting blankets, toys, beanies and other essentials for children in need.

“I couldn’t have done this on my own. The Lilyfontein Interact club, Vincent Methodist Church and Rhodes Foods were a great help,” she said.

The Grade 10 pupil was inspired by the Kolisi Foundation, which was established by Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and his wife, Rachel.

Children of the East Coast community received 25 blankets, 50 soft toys, 70 beanies and 200 packets of soup mix.