Picture: A local philanthropist, Onthatile Jason celebrates her birthday with disadvantaged individuals/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
A local philanthropist, Onthatile Jason said she will continue to focus on making a strong impact in the community of Manthe village, near Taung. Through Onthatile Foundation, Jason (29) celebrated her birthday with the needy by donating groceries, clothes, and sanitary pads to eighteen families on 26 May 2023.
“I am happy that some families managed to benefit from this initiative. So, I will continue to assist as many people as possible through my strategic philanthropic actions. My team and I, have identified families that are underprivileged and extended our helping hand.
“The reason why I am doing this is because, one day, I took a walk through our village and noticed that, there are many people who need help either food parcels, clothes and etc. Mostly, people from Lebonkeng and Moseja sections do not benefit from donations that are brought into our village due to the distance,” she said.
Jason further said, most of these donations were taken to the Baga-Maidi Tribal Authority office as a central destination, which is a little bit far from those sections. A qualified nail technician added that she aims to see growth within her village, especially among the youth.
“Most young people continue to indulge in alcohol and drug abuse, which destroys their lives. I urge everyone to be involved and not leave anyone behind. So, it will be imperative for us to support the cause in the best way we can.
“It may be a matter of donation or doing anything that might have a positive impact in changing the lives of those around you. We need to work together as a society and I am grateful that, the VW crew came through,” said Jason.
She said sometimes it helps to establish a culture of giving and this will not only benefit the current generation but the future ones too. Jason said she will be grateful to see a local library being built in her village as education plays a pivotal role in creating a better society.
Meanwhile, South Africa is celebrating Youth Month and in a statement, the South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa said, 2023 marks the 47th anniversary of the June 16 Soweto and other related uprisings. Ramaphosa said the Soweto uprising ended tragically with hundreds of young people brutally killed.
“This tragedy became a rallying point that inspired a nation and a people to rise up against the brutal apartheid system. Following the advent of democracy in 1994, the new democratic government declared 16 June as National Youth Day and June as Youth Month.
“This year, the National Youth Day and Youth Month will be celebrated under the theme: “Accelerating youth economic emancipation for a sustainable future”. In helping draw more young people into the economy, the government has under the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention initiated various youth development and empowerment initiatives to support young people,” he said.
Ramaphosa said it ranges from formal education and training, learnerships and internships as well as support for youth entrepreneurship. He said, their initiatives provide the necessary support for young people to take on their challenges and win.
The Guardian 