Hlokomelang Batho goes the extra mile to help the community
Hlokomelang Batho is a non-profit organisation based in Katlehong that focuses on the matters affecting the community and South Africa at large.
Sonnyboy Nxumalo, the managing director of the organisation, said the following major factors are affecting the community:
*Drugs and substance abuse in the community.
“Drugs and substance abuse destroys families, friends and the community. It also increases crime.
“We have started a junior soccer team to keep the children fit and busy to prevent them from staying at home or on the streets where they might be exposed to drug and alcohol users,” said Nxumalo.
He said Hlokomelang Batho organises and hosts motivational talks for young drugs users or streets kids who want to quit using substances. He added that Hlokomelang Batho is a link between the user and rehabilitation centres.
*Lack of skills and development in youth.
“Due to the lack of skills and development in the community, we have a high rate of unemployment,” Nxumalo said.
He emphasised that the organisation makes vacancies available to the community by advertising available posts in the government and private sectors. The organisation also collects CVs from individuals for database purposes.
“We identify skilled candidates and refer them to relevant institutions. We even help those who have dropped out from high school,” explained Nxumalo.
*Disabled people are not taken care of.
“Most disabled pupils are not receiving grants and lack skills due to a lack of information,” said Nxumalo.
He said they identify disabled candidates and introduce them to relevant institutions.
“We also provide them with useful information including how to apply for tenders, register on data base and how to fill in application forms,” said Nxumalo.
*Elderly people are abused.
“Most abused elderly people are being abused by their children, grandchildren or other family members. They struggle to apply for grants because of the early hours and having to wait in long queues,” said Nxumalo.
He said they do door-to-door visits for pensioners.
“We check whether they are being abused and whether there is any need for home-based care. If there is that need, we organise help for them from relevant government institutions,” Nxumalo explained, adding that they offer food parcels to the deserving members of the community.
Nxumalo said Hlokomelang Batho would like the community to help them with any form of donation and food. They will be conducting the campaign to clean Twala Park on Mandela Day – Tuesday, July 18. He said it is one of the ways the organisation gives back to the community.
Free food parcels
Hlokomelang Batho was supposed to issue free food parcels to the Katlehong community at the South African Social Security Agency’s (SASSA) premises on Thursday, July 6, but were unable to do so because the screening to determine those who qualify, took longer than expected. The screening also continued on Friday, July 7.
Nxumalo said if they complete the screening process on July 7, they will be able to issue the food parcels.
