Lecobi grows despite setbacks
With new-found hope it is really just the paperwork that needs to be completed in order for Lecobi to continue without limitations.
A wise man once said, “The best helping hand you will find is at the end of your arm”. This is clearly the case when you visit The Lecobi (Lewisham Community Business Initiative) Project.
In June the news published an article about a community project the team has stumbled upon. After a call from a Mogale City Municipality representative about a group of men trying to make a living out of nothing, the news decided to jump in and help out by being Lecobi’s voice.
However, the community did not respond very well and two months later Lecobi’s founders still are trying to keep head above water.
Despite all the challenges they face and countless setbacks, the group of men behind this project has decided not to give up and carry on.
When the news team first visited the site, it was a dusty piece of veld with a few rows for planting vegetables being prepared.
Today it is a completely different picture. The corner stand situated at Mclean and Ainsley Streets in Kagiso has become a little gardening ray of hope.
Lecobi literally is growing and all because its team refuses to throw in the towel.
The men of Lecobi, Molefe Monaneng, William Molefe, Matabana Matabane, Daniel Moagi and Ruben Mofokeng managed to plant an array of vegetables using the little resources they have. Soon they will start to reap the fruits of their labour.
But they still are in desperate need of help.
After news editor Janine Viljoen was interviewed about the project on radio, only one person answered her plea for help.
Zac Grobler, a pensioner from the Luipaardsvlei Old Age Home met with Viljoen and Lecobi’s frontman Daniel Moagi, and plans were made about how Lecobi is going to become a growing success story.
“I was blown away by the resilience of these men. Initially I just wanted to see for myself if Lecobi was legit and what I ended up seeing tugged at my heartstrings. I suddenly had the urge to help,” says Grobler.
Grobler used to work at the Roodepoort Municipality and has a vast knowledge of how a community project like Lecobi can benefit from a municipal perspective as well as corporately. He also served on the board of The Cradle of Hope – House of Restoration for many years and knows the ins and outs of running a successful community initiative.
With new-found hope it is really just the paperwork that needs to be completed in order for Lecobi to continue without limitations.
Readers can expect to see regular updates about Lecobi and its progress.
Become involved by calling Viljoen on 011 955 1130 or send an email to krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za. You also can contact Moagi on 078 599 1422.
