KwaThema – Kutlwano Social Organisation donated blankets and food parcels to over 200 physically challenged and elderly people from KwaThema and Tsakane at Springs Old Boys on Sunday.
This was part of their annual initiative to honour Mandela Day.
KwaThema Police Station, the local CPF and other business people donated towards the success of the programme.
Four centres, Tsakane Therapy Centre, Kopano Disability Movement, Bulithando Special Needs Centre and Impumelelo Self Help Centre, benefited from the donation.
Social and welfare committee head, Sello Makete, says this year they decided to focus on the elderly and disabled members of the community.
“In the past years we were focusing on the elderly and child-headed households, but we felt we were isolating them.
“We decided to invite them in and help keep them warm this winter.
He says they invited various organisation to donate the blankets, and the 95 members of the Kutlwano Social Organisation also donated a blanket each.
The men’s group, which is over 20 years old, was formed to alleviate and fight poverty and embark on outreach programmes for the community.
Sello says they are currently embarking on a school shoes campaign to collect 1000 shoes.
“We have currently collected 420 pairs and we are inviting other like-minded residents and business sponsors to join the campaign.
“We have realised learners in schools in KwaThema, especially from informal settlements, don’t have school shoes.
“This is not only for the benefit of Kutlwano Social Organisation but to help improve the life of children in Kwatsaduza and give them a brighter future.
“They should not feel small in class but be able to compete equally with others.
“We can all improve the life of a child if we join hands and work together,” he says.
Sthembiso Mndebele from Kopano Disability Movement says they are grateful they were selected as one of the beneficiaries of the donations.
“The donation will go a long way in keeping us warm in the centre because our offices don’t have heaters to keep us warm,” he says.