The national lockdown moved to level 4 on May 1, but this comes as little relief to some locals who are still unable to work.
Only essential services and businesses are allowed to operate, with a few new business sectors also permitted to open their doors during this new phase. But in the meanwhile, people in Vryheid are going hungry. With no income, it is becoming more and more difficult for some families to survive.
Local business owner Nina van Rensburg provides her employees with some relief during this time, but it has come to her attention that there are a lot of families who go hungry on a daily basis. “We can’t just sit and do nothing while people starve. Every little bit helps,” she informed the Herald.
This has inspired her to start a food parcel scheme which will be rolled out in the rural areas of Northern KwaZulu-Natal. A single food parcel adds up to the value of R300, which can feed a family of four for 10 days. The food parcels include the following: 10kg maize meal, 5kg sugar beans, 5kg beef & onion soup, 500g salt, 2.5kg sugar, 100 tea bags and 500g milk powder, and a five-litre bottle of water.
At this stage, they have identified approximately 15 families in the eMondlo area and at the dumping site. The first food parcels were distributed on Monday in eMondlo and at the dump site. Van Rensburg is hoping to expand this initiative to more families in local townships.
The organisation needs other businesses in Vryheid to assist with either a monetary donation or any grocery products. They promise full transparency and any suggestions or nominations of families in need are welcomed. Businesses or individuals can donate to:
Capitec Bank, NKZN Food Parcels, Account Number: 1706172808, Branch code: 470010, Reference: Donation and / or your name.
For further information, contact Nina on 082-498-0118.
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