Among the various projects by the Rosebank Homeless Association is the Zinto Zinhle sewing project which is steadily growing. The Rosebank Pick n Pay together with Rosebank Police Station spokesperson Sergeant Bongi Mdletshe showed their support for the project by paying the sewers a visit at the Rosebank Mall.
Chairperson of the Rosebank Homeless Association, Judith Briggs thanked the mall for providing the venue, which is the rooftop where the sewers sell their sewn products. She also thanked Pick n Pay for their generosity and added that the men and women working at Zinto Zinhle were determined individuals who did not wait for things to come to them but rather helped themselves.
Mdletshe concurred with that and said the sewers are entrepreneurs who had started their own initiative. He said, “I would like community members to take away the mentality that these products are for tourists only; let’s support this proudly South African initiative and buy these products. By buying one or two of them, you will have put bread on these families’ tables.”
Mdletshe also added that being a police officer is not just about fighting criminals but also about looking after people and the sewers’ safety is his concern as they operate from his precinct.
Customer service manager from Pick n Pay Rosebank Mall, Khanyisile Chokoe said they always give back to customers every once a month. “I work closely with Mdletshe as well as old age homes and Immaculata Shelter which is also a project of the Rosebank Homeless Association. So, through Mdletshe’s guidance, he advised me to come and spend some time with these men and women in order to see the wonderful work that they do while having tea, muffins and cake,” said Chokoe.
Zinto Zinhle project coordinator Grace Sigasa said she was grateful to work with the team of hard workers as she also learns from them. She added that when they are stuck they go to her and if she also doesn’t know what to do she asks others for help.
Details: Zinto Zinhle sewn products are sold on Sundays at the rooftop of Rosebank Mall at the Rosebank Sunday Market.
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