Pretoria - Communications Minister Faith Muthambi today gave Christmas gifts to five families that are heavily burden by poverty.
Minister Muthambi visited the mountainous village of Willow Fountain for the first time in September earlier this year during President Jacob Zuma’s Presidential Imbizo, where she was touched to see people living in dilapidated mud houses, while some had no identity documents and birth certificates.
It was this poverty level that prompted Minister Muthambi to adopt the entire ward 14. She identified five poverty stricken families to be assisted with food parcels, IDs, birth certificates and school uniform for their kids.
The Minister has since visited the area more than twice. When she arrived on Friday with the food parcels, she needed no introduction to the villagers who greeted her eagerly saying, “Sawubona Minister! (hello Minister)” as she walked down the street.
Each family received rice, 5-litre cooking oil, 10kg of sugar, braai packs, soup, beans, fresh milk and tea bags to mention but a few items.
When the Minister arrived at the house of senior citizen Zinyezana Dladla, the elderly lady said: “Minister Muthambi, you are back again to see me. Thanks so much my daughter [for the grocery]. You’ve restored my family’s dignity in this area. At least this year, I will celebrate and enjoy the festive season just like other people”.
Dladla lives with six family members including her grandchildren.
Minister Muthambi made a stop at the home of a middle aged, unemployed mother of five, Zama Ntombela. When government officials, who accompanied the Minister started to offload the grocery, Ntombela was overwhelmed with emotion. She gave the Minister a hug.
Her daughter, Thandokazi, a grade 11 learner at Saselihle High School, could also not hide her excitement about the Christmas gifts from the Minister.
“We are poor in this family in such a way that to us, there was nothing to be happy about over the festive season. However, this situation will change once I realise my dream of becoming a chartered accountant,” Thandokazi said.
Carrying her 10-month-old daughter, mother-of-eight Khombisile Mkhize said: “Minister, I value the manner in which you care for me and my kids. I never thought doors will be opened for me to meet a caring leader like you in my lifetime.
“I’m no longer stressed about what my kids will eat this Christmas and with this new school uniform, my kids will not be different from other learners in the next academic year”.
The Minister also spread Christmas cheer at a child-headed home. Minister Muthambi also donated food parcels to 71-year-old Ernestina Ntombi Mtshali in Imbali township.
Speaking to SAnews, Minister Muthambi said: “I was really touched to see the living conditions of residents in this area and felt that one should do something in the spirit of goodwill to mankind.
“This confirms that we are a caring government but there is still more that needs to be done at this area, as there is no proper sanitation and water, even though they have electricity.
“As government, we are appealing to the private sector to be devoted in the public welfare by making improving the lives of these people who are less fortunate”. - SAnews.gov.za
