Local NGO hosts Christmas lunch for vulnerable community members
Meals on Wheels held an early Christmas lunch for the elderly, cancer survivors and the O Seke wa Nyatsa (don’t underestimate me) support group for people with disabilities on December 10 in Thokoza Extension Five.
The purpose of the event was to bring people with disabilities under one roof to have lunch and socialise while observing social distancing and Covid-19 regulations. Part of the day’s programme included giving food parcels to beneficiaries from the support group.
Kopano Dimpe from Meals on Wheels said after a tough year dealing with the pandemic, they wanted to bring a sense of joy to their beneficiaries, ensuring that everybody was relaxed, had a good time and networked.
“There are a lot of events that cover general activities. These activities do not necessarily focus on people with disabilities but they also need that special acknowledgement and not be forgotten. So we thought it would be great if we organised a Christmas lunch.
“We asked around for donations and put together some food parcels which will benefit both people who were able to attend the event and those who are home-based,” said Dimpe.
Marks Matlala (51), a beneficiary from O Seke wa Nyatsa and coordinator of Ekurhuleni Service Delivery Forum, said the organisation is helpful as they benefit a lot from it.
“I thought we would also benefit in terms of resources that we could utilise as persons with disabilities because we are now in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We need smartphones and laptops, but otherwise the organisation is trying in terms of ensuring we have a balanced diet,” he added.
Matlala said a lot of disabled people are economically excluded and most of them are well educated and have the capacity to contribute to the economy.
“We are fed up and embarrassed by our government because they make decisions for us, without us and we have the potential. We have the knowledge, we are educated, but we are excluded in everything. For example, right now there are many awareness campaigns for gender-based violence, but there are no campaigns for disabilities; we also have challenges,” said Matlala.
Cyril Masondo (68) expressed happiness during the lunch, stating he was very happy to be part of the event and he looks forward to more of them.
Founder of O Seke wa Nyatsa support group Solly Maseko said he feels disability grants are not enough to sustain them throughout the month and want to remind others they are also important in the community.
Maseko is extending his plea to community members and local businesses to lend a helping hand by donating to the organisation.
“Our plan is to get a centre we can use and have a day care where we can come and play indigenous games and have healthy nutritious food. We also want to support others with disabilities by proving wheelchairs and other necessities because we all have different needs,” said Maseko.
