KHAYELITSHA | MFULENI
Thursday, 23 January 2020 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | Fax: 021 910 6501 | Email: news@cityvision.co.za
Member of Nolukhanyo Senior Club, Maria Ntese greets Mahambehlala before she delivered her speech. PHOTOS: UNATHI OBOSE
DONATION: THANDI HANDS OUT BLANKETS...
Ecstacy for seniors UNATHI OBOSE
E
xcitement was evident on the faces of members of Nolukhanyo Senior Club in Site B when they received blankets from the former deputy minister of communication and current African National Congress youth task team convener, Thandi Mahambehlala, during her birthday on Thursday 16 January. As part of her birthday celebration, Mahambehlala donated 50 blankets to seniors in Samora Machel, before heading to Site B to donate another 50 blankets to the mem-
bers of the club. Speaking on behalf of the club, Maria Ntese thanked Mahambehlala for the generosity. “We didn’t expect what you’ve done for us. We thank you for remembering us and spend your special day with us, hoping that is not the last time,” said Ntese. She appealed to other seniors to join senior clubs. “We are happy here. We don’t have stress anymore. We are appealing to all elderly people to stop staying indoors and come join us. The senior clubs are everywhere, they must join,” she appealed. Ntese said the blankets will protect them
during winter. Mahambehlala said elderly people are close to her heart. “These are loyal people and good activists in our communities. So, I felt instead of throwing a bash with my comrades and friends let me spend my day with them and share the little things that I have,” she said. Explaining why she chose the two areas she said: “I chose ward 33 (Samora Machel) because that’s where I’m coming from. I grew up in Samora. So it is my home and is a sign of saying thank you to them. And in Site B, I have a good relationship with the local councillor, Luleka Jali
(ward 90). So, when I was looking for a place for elderly people, councillor referred me to Nolukhanyo,” she said. Ward 33 councillor Sithembiso Mzobe described Mahambehlala’s action as a sign of appreciation to her community. He said she is setting the bar for other community leaders to follow. “She showed respect and love to the people of Samora. We believe this is a great initiative and hope other leaders will follow in her footsteps,” he said adding that they need more leaders like Mahambehlala in their community.