The lockdown that communities went through in April and May led to hunger and sometimes conflict. At Rethabiseng hall people were so hungry that they are trying everything that will put food on the table. Elders were borrowing chairs in nearby house just to sit down while waiting to fill the food parcel list.
Things got out of control and there was no social distancing as everybody wanted to touch the community hall gates. There was no one who was controlling the queue, and everybody is desperate to get food parcel as they wait at the community hall gates but no luck.
In Zithobeni, another community not far from Rethabiseng members of the community appreciated everything that a young community leader (who will not be named) has done to help them in this situation.
The Zithobeni team is working hand in hand with the community to distribute approximately 600 bags of potatoes and 1000 watermelons.
Not everyone is happy about what the leader is doing by giving back to the community, with some saying he distributed food in order to win the campaign of being the next councillor.
In times like this, the community needs food parcels and doesn’t need political fights. The community really needs true leaders, people who won’t look away (in times of need) and definitely people who won’t steal or benefit in the name of the community.
Kgaugelo Fidel Phiri said: “We are here to make sure that government delivers to the people. We are also working on expanding the good work to nearby locations such as Rethabiseng, Dark City, Ekangala and Sokhulumi.”
Dimakatso Mbokane is a community healthcare worker based in the greater Tshwane region in Gauteng. This article was submitted on 9 May 2020. You may republish this article, so long as you credit the authors and Karibu! Online (www.Karibu.org.za), and do not change the text. Please include a link back to the original article.
