A programme that feeds people in various Grahamstown neighbourhoods has received a generous donation from a local young man who is trying to encourage more young people to play an active role in their communities.
A programme that feeds people in various Grahamstown neighbourhoods has received a generous donation from a local young man who is trying to encourage more young people to play an active role in their communities.
Loyiso Manga-Mlengana donated 15 pumpkins to the Meals on Wheels Community Services in Wood Street this week.
Mlengana says he grew up in Grahamstown, but studied and worked in Cape Town for several years. The young businessman says he loves Grahamstown and wants to see it return to its glory days.
“I don’t want to see Grahamstown die. This used to be a great sporting place. Giving back to the community is my way of awakening Grahamstown,” said the enthusiastic Fingo Village resident.
Since returning from the Mother City last year, Manga-Mlengana has started his own high-pressure cleaning business.
Himself with family and friends managed to grow 60 pumpkins in January, some of which he gave to individuals and organisations such as Meals on Wheels.
“I want to create a culture of giving to the less fortunate. I want to see young people start their own things in their communities so we can show that we are responsible as young people. But we need that empowerment from government,” he said.
Retired Seventh Day Adventist School principal Sondezwa Hobongwana was delighted to accept the pumpkins on behalf of Meals of Wheels. The nutritional programme is one of many in town that receive support from the local Department of Social Development office.
Department spokesperson Mzukisi Matinise told Grocott’s Mail that as the department they have nutrition programmes in needy areas and homes.
Matinise said Community Development Practitioners from the department visit the different areas and assess people’s situations.
“We find that there are lots of social problems in our communities and we do our best to intervene where we can,” he said.
Matinise said Meals on Wheels is one of many organisations that they support.
“We donated about R180 000 to this organisation last year,” he said.
anele@grocotts.co.za
