Mdantsane friends join to help struggling children’s home

A group of friends originally from Mdantsane have raised funds to buy much-needed items for Masizakhe Children’s Home in Qumza Highway.

The home takes care of 75 children between the ages of two to 16.

Phumzile Nozewu, who started the initiative, appealed to friends and other people from across the country who grew up in Mdantsane to donate R500 or more to help provide the home with essential items that it needed.

A total of R31,000 was raised to buy two washing machines, bedding, school uniforms and other items.

Three friends involved in the initiative, Eugene Mfaka, Xabiso Gqirana and Gorakazi Ngcukuva, visited Masizakhe this week to hand over the items.

“Humanity is very important in our communities, but it is something that is becoming rare.

“So we are showing the community of Mdantsane and the rest of the country that having ubuntu can make a huge difference in another’s life,” Mfaka said.

Gqirana said: “I want to thank people who contributed to this initiative.

“I also want to encourage people who have excelled in life, and are from Mdantsane, to plough back into their community.”

Masizakhe Children’s Home manager Luyanda Lusizi said he was overwhelmed.

“Since the lockdown was implemented, the department of social development requested children do not go back to their homes, but instead stay here, to prevent any infections.

“We didn’t have any Covid-19 cases,” a proud Lusizi said.

He said the items would make a huge difference to the running of the home.

“We are truly grateful to what these members have done. It has made a huge impact in these children’s lives.

“I am appealing to the community of Mdantsane to help where they can, whether it’s secondhand clothes or electronics.

“We also ask that our community helps us with transportation, as we have children who are not able to walk to their schools due to physical disabilities,” Lusizi said

We are showing the community of Mdantsane and the rest of the country that having ubuntu can make a huge difference in another’s life

Picture: SIVENATHI GOSA HELPING HAND: A group of friends from Mdantsane donate basic essentials to Masizakhe Children's Home. From left, Xabiso Gqirana, Gorakazi Ngcukuva, Eugene Mfaka and the manager of the home, Luyanda Lusizi.