Picture: Some of Chivas Crew members preparing soup for patients/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) called Chivas Crew in Taung, said it will continue with the ‘spirit of humanity’ throughout. This comes after the crew members donated soup to more than 100 outpatients at Taung District Hospital recently in honour of International Mandela Day.
The Chivas Crew coordinator, Bontle Keokame said it is truly a privilege to be able to help the community in need, through their own legacy and experience. Keokame said everything they did was to honour everything that the late Nelson Mandela stood for. She further said, as a group of youth from Chiefscourt village, near Taung, the spirit of humanity needs to confront treble challenges such as unemployment, inequality, and poverty that continue to mar the community.
“We provided soup cups to outpatients. As the organisation, we have noticed that patients come very early in the morning and most of them, come from far away and might have not eaten anything when they arrive. So, we saw it fit to atleast put something together to help them to keep warm.
“Most of them were happy to receive soup from the organisation. The main objective of this initiative is to assist and give back to our community during times of need. The group was established in September 2020 and we have 30 good-standing members,” said Keokame.
She further said they are looking forward to seeing more young people with the same vision joining them. Keokame added that, their initiatives are multi-faceted and in order to achieve their cause, more support will be needed.
“We know that Taung is predominantly rural and many people live beyond the poverty line. So, with the persistent poverty, high rate of unemployment, and other socio-economic challenges, it is going to be very hard for our people to make ends meet.
“So, let’s continue with the vision of Madiba and ensure the world becomes a better place. We need to take time and reflect on Mandela’s values and principles and make a positive impact in our own communities,” she said.
Meanwhile, The Nelson Mandela Foundation said, as part of its Nelson Mandela International Day initiative for 2023, it continues to support communities and action against poverty and inequality.
“The Nelson Mandela Foundation initiated a global commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day along with a network of global partners who planted trees, and resourcing home-based/community food gardens across the world. The global celebration followed the sun as it traversed the globe (East to West), with networks participating on 18 July 2023. For Mandela Day this year, under the theme: “Climate, Food and Solidarity”, our call to action are “It is in your hands.”
“The Nelson Mandela Foundation and its South African partners capacitated a community food garden in Diepsloot, a community north of Johannesburg. The Foundation recognises that urgent action must be taken to combat the climate crisis and thereby ensure continued food security.”
In making a positive contribution to climate justice and food security, the Nelson Mandela Foundation said it will continue to work with communities to plant trees, the majority of which are fruit trees, and to resource a number of community gardens across South Africa.
The Guardian 