The Randfontein Publicity Association (RPA) handed out parcels with food and blankets to the needy from around the greater Randfontein on Wednesday.
The parcels are funded by donations from RPA members and are handed out every winter. Not all the parcels are distributed in the same manner though. Some go to charities and some to churches during handover ceremonies.
“We have given out 130 blankets and R10 000 worth of food to individuals and organisations in Mohlakeng, Toekomsrus and Randfontein. We would like to thank all our RPA members who sponsored cash, blankets and food, as well as all other sponsors,” Joy Hamman, publicity officer for the RPA said.
The Herald spent Wednesday with Joy to observe the process of handing out the parcels on the street.
Joy makes a note of when the municipal refuse trucks make their rounds in the different areas of Randfontein. Wednesdays the trucks go around Homelake to pick up rubbish.
This caring RPA member then loads her car with parcels and roams the streets in search of those people who rummage through bins. She hands out parcels to them.
“Some of these people even look for old food in these bins. We take so many things for granted,” she said.
After a few minutes the first person to receive a parcel was identified. His name is Stevens Motlogela, a middle-aged man who wore three coats on the day and had an enormous black bag with recyclables with him. He hardly believed his luck.
The next man was working in the same street at Motlogela but much further away. This man’s name is Jacob Mokatedi who also was carrying all his belongings.
“Thank you. I have children, now I don’t have to do this for the rest of the day,” he said and almost skipped off. May God bless you.”
A few other people who were given parcels were puzzled at the notion that someone would take interest in a rubbish collector.
“That’s it for now. The rubbish trucks will be in Randgate tomorrow and I’ll go hand out there as well,” Joy added.
Later on the day, parcels were handed out at the St Joseph’s Anglican Church in Toekomsrus.
“25 pensioners received a blanked and a food parcel. A delicious chicken breyani and salad also were served, followed by sweet pastries.”
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