Rikhotso and his wife, Masu Mathye, run a nonprofit company, Angeldelton, helping the poor and homeless in the CBD with food and clothes. The pair visits known areas where the homeless convene such as the bus station. Rikhotso is a pastor from Nkowankowa and says caring for people was instilled by his mother. “It is important for the fortunate to care for the less fortunate,” he says. Rikhotso does not only give the homeless food and clothes, but he also sits down with them to determine their state of mind and to try and assist them in returning home.
“What I have learned from my interaction with them is that some were forced to the streets because of difficult family circumstances. “One of the men left home after his family rejected him for losing his job and was forced to the streets,” he says. He says he has learned not to judge people by their appearance, but to take time and listen to their side of the story. Rikhotso helped a resident of Xihoko village to return home. “He has now been home for more than a year and has even started his own car wash business.”
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Rikhotso hopes to soon be able to build a homeless shelter and rehabilitation facility as there are no such facilities in Tzaneen. He pleads with the Greater Tzaneen Municipality and traditional councils to assist him with premises or a piece of land where he can establish a rehab centre. “We don’t necessarily want money but hope that those with resources can assist to make this dream a reality.” He says because most of the homeless are also drug addicts, a rehab centre will help to address the problem.
“We want the homeless to return to their communities and families after rehab. “The drug problem in the CBD also scares businesspeople away because they don’t feel safe,” he concludes. For more information on how to get involved and donations, call 066 032 53 46.
