Deputy Minister gives back to community

Local emerging car-wash business owners could not believe their luck when the Mduduzi Manana Foundation handed them much-needed car-wash equipment last Friday during a breakfast meeting with Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Mduduzi Manana, who is also the founder of the foundation.

The 10 emerging business owners were identified from different sections of Wesselton during a research campaign. Each owner received industrial vacuum cleaners and washing equipment.

The recipients could not fully express their appreciation and undertook to look after the equipment, as it is their livelihood.

One of the recipients was the Constructive Accord of Prisoners made up of former convicts that have teamed up to form a skills development centre in Ermelo that will teach the youth about life in prison and to impart their skills learned while in prison.

In his address to the young entrepreneurs, Mr Manana emphasised that the donations are one of many ways to eradicate hunger and unemployment.

“I’m glad that you guys did not wait for a government hand-out but started your businesses that will later employ others,” he said.

After the meeting, Mr Manana rushed to Thuthukani Hall where hundreds of senior citizens from Wesselton were anxiously waiting for him. As he arrived, he was received with jubilation, as he had hundreds of blankets to donate to them.

According to Mr Manana, a youth that does not look after its elders is lost.

“We are what and who we are, because of our elders who have shunned the limelight and paved the way for us,” he said.

Gogo Lilly Nhlanhla from Thusi Village could not contain her excitement to see and receive a gift from Mr Manana, as she had looked after him and his mother when they were young.

The Mduduzi Manana Foundation will be officially launched in July and will be involved in various community building and uplifting programmes.