Mzingazi safe house vision draws closer

AFTER months of perseverance, Mzingazi community worker Sharon Mdletshe has finally received her non-profit organisation Eagles Wings Shelter’s registration certificate and is ready to commence with construction of her place of safety for abused women.

In January she took a leap of faith and committed a piece of land on her property which overlooks Lake Mzingazi to the shelter project.

She approached local corporates and businesses for support.

Her goal is to also incorporate income generating projects such as beadwork, sewing and vegetable farming to help empower the unemployed in her community.

As a Community Policing Forum representative and volunteer at the Richards Bay SAPS trauma room, she has first hand experience of the violence affecting families and the impact of unemployment and crime in the area.

She believes the shelter will make a difference in the community.

Mdletshe said she made a special trip to Pretoria last week to collect her NPO certificate and despite having their vehicle broken into and all their belongings stolen, she has not lost hope.

‘We had parked outside our accommodation in Pretoria and our vehicle’s back window was smashed and all the luggage was taken from the boot.

‘Luckily my certificate was placed in a folder behind the seat and it was left behind,’ said Sharon.

Mdletshe said while they are rallying up donations for the shelter project, other community projects are not neglected and there is still a great need for food parcels for destitute families.

‘While I assist residents with many crime related concerns, many families also approach me for food and it is painful to turn them away.

‘We receive food parcels from individuals and businesses, but donations have declined and I appeal to local businesses to pledge their support once again.

‘In many homes there is no breadwinner and homesteads are being headed by gogos or even children.
Anyone willing to assist can contact Mdlethshe on 083 8723384.