We have become so sceptical and paranoid as a society to the point that any good deeds are always questioned. Why do you want to help me? What do I have to lose? and what will you gain from helping me, are the first questions that most people ask when help is being offered to them.
Most people even say Ubuntu is just a thing of the past.
Well, the ladies of White City still believe in Ubuntu and most importantly they practice it. Every first week of the month they host soup kitchens all over White City.
Founding members of the soup kitchen are Phumzile Hatsane, Dorothy Dipholo, Mantshadi Makhalemele, Sibongile Ngobese, Nokuthula Mbanjwa and Sam Molawa.
“This is our way of giving back to the community. We are aware of the difficulties faced by the people in our community and we know that the soup kitchen really goes a long way for those that don’t have much,” said Dipholo. “We act as the mothers and grandmothers for everyone especially for child-headed households.”
“We also have a burial society. We allow you to get cover within 6 months of being a member. If it happens that death occurs before you reach 6 months as a member, we can empathise with you and assist in the funeral but you will still need to meet us half way because remember, you never reached the 6 months to be fully covered,” said Ngobese.
The challenge they face with the soup kitchen is that more often than not they don’t get the turnout that they expect.
“I think the problem is that people are not aware of the soup kitchen and sometimes the weather is also not on our side. We would love to have a set location, where there is shelter also” said Hatsane.
The ladies plan to host the soup kitchen weekly in future. The next soup kitchen will be at 3140 Crutze Street, White City.
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