Our view

I am certain that most good-hearted South Africans are satisfied that Tata Madiba’s birthday and memorial were celebrated in great style of giving unto the underprivileged in society.

One noticed that all the people were doing it from the heart, not out of pretence or as a publicity stunt.

Good-heartedness comes about naturally.

It is not a “one-hit wonder” but an everyday sharing of your livelihood because you cannot enjoy life while others are suffering at least if you do something for one or a few, it gives you that satisfaction.

Madiba has been likened to Christ by others, it is not because his image and persona is Christ’s, but because his deed and sacrifices and the love he demonstrated for all humanly, is insurmountable to an extent that on earthly grounds, he is in the same league as Christ, yet he was just as human like me and you.

I must honestly thank my team, too, for their honesty and caring when they showered their adopted family somewhere in Pienaar, with provisions that came from the heart – may God Almighty bless their souls.

I was also impressed by a group of friends who are in business, that decided to respond to a request from former Miss Mpumalanga, Mpumi Lephoko to build a house for a granny living with her many children in a dilapidated mud house on the brink of collapsing at any moment.

These are youngsters, professionals with their flashy cars who put together everything to save the poor family from disaster and provide comfort, a sign of caring among them.

May the Almighty bless them and offer them more so they can assist others, too.

Yours truly believes that a truly giving person is one who digs deep into his pocket and assists, not good organisers who will go around other businesses to alleviate poverty in society, but at least what God says is, the little that you have, suffices to better people’s situations.

I’ve also been encouraged by the ANC chief whip’s office that gathered ex-miners in many constituencies to be briefed and registered concerning their unclaimed provident funds and other benefits, including the unemployment insurance fund.

This is applicable to both living and deceased members that will benefit their respective families.

It was a good thing that this had to surface during Mandela Month, a month of giving, although ex-miners worked hard for it, but we’re unfortunately deprived of it by unscrupulous mine owners, who continue to exploit workers.