Muslim Welfare Foundation donates food
The Polokwane Muslim Welfare Foundation donated food parcels to temporary shelters for homeless people around Limpopo.
POLOKWANE – This took place at the Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality council chambers in Jane Furse on 9 April and the parcels were received by Limpopo Premier, Chupu Mathabatha.
The Polokwane Muslim Welfare Foundation has been spearheading a mass food distribution drive throughout the province during the lockdown.
The foundation has also partnered with the Department of Social Development to assist homeless shelters that have been set up across the province.
Hot meals, hygiene packs and food hampers have already been distributed at the Polokwane shelter housed at the Polokwane Showgrounds, the Tzaneen shelter, the Modimolle shelter and Musina shelter, to those who are in need.
Speaking at the handover, the Chairperson of Polokwane Muslim Welfare foundation, Abdool Carrim Osman said that the Muslim community in Nirvana consolidated all their efforts and resources under one umbrella body to assist with complying to all the regulations.
This was done not only to flatten the curve, but to also alleviate the challenges faced by the less fortunate who are more adversely affected by the lockdown, according to Osman.
The donation comes after the DA’s Provincial Leader, Jacques Smalle, called on the Premier to take action in assisting families that are affected by the lockdown.
Premier Mathabatha stated that during this lockdown, the vulnerable within the community are suffering by not having basic food.
The lockdown rules are strict and should be adhered to. In Limpopo, 500 homeless people have been identified and efforts have been made to accommodate them in temporary shelters.
“This donation will come in very handy for us as a province. It will assist us in solving many of the challenges that we are facing which are associated with the Covid-19 lockdown.
“We are very thankful for this intervention and believe more is still coming,” he said.
He explained that a team of psychologists have been made available to assist with challenges that arise.
He stated they have experienced problems with homeless people who are also recovering alcoholics that drink the sanitiser because of its alcohol content.
He further thanked other donors who have assisted and called on more people to come on board.
One of the recipients of the food parcels, Tumelo Nkosi shared gratitude at the donation which could not have come at a better time.
“They have really helped us. We are a household of 10 people and we are truly grateful,” she said.
Locally, the foundation has also donated food hampers to needy families that have been identified in Nirvana, Westenburg and Rainbow Park.
The MEC for Social Development, Nkakareng Rakgoale is also set to distribute 5 000 food parcels that have been donated by good Samaritans to families that were identified by social workers.
“In collaboration with Sassa, municipalities and the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs, we have managed to establish 14 temporary shelters across the province, where we are accommodating about 700 homeless people.
“The food parcels were made available by various stakeholders that include businesses, NGOs and individuals who understand that there is a need for them to join hands with government in providing for the vulnerable people,” explained Rakgoale.
