“Assist the poor and uplift the community”

A poverty stricken family from the Mukondeni area officially received the key to a new five-roomed house, donated by Phala Phala FM and the SAPS, about three weeks ago.

The Ramaloko family of 11 people used to live in a one-roomed zink shack.

The official handing over of the new house was attended by MEC for Safety and Liaision, Mapula Mokaba,Vhavenda King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana, Phala Phala FM station manager Freddy Sadiki and the provincial police commissioner, Gen Fannie Masemola .

During the event, Mr Sadiki said the public broadcaster and SAPS were proud to be part of the “good deed aimed at uplifting the community. We asked the community and different structures to nominate a poverty stricken family. We wanted to identify those without proper shelter and who usually don´t know where their next plate of food will come from,” he said.

He said it was the government and the private sector’s collective duty to fight and win the war against poverty.

MEC Mokaba stated that most of the families consisted of unemployed people and they needed to get assistance from the community. “They did not choose to be poor and they need to be uplifted by those who can do something for them.” She appealed to other community members to assist the poor in the development of society and mentioned that the donation was based “on love and brotherhood.”

She also appealed to other people to do the same and to assist people living in poverty and to uplift the community.

King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana said more challenges lay ahead, but added that the community members were proud because PhalaPhala FM and the SAPS were joining the fight against poverty and underdevelopment. He also thanked the local businesses who had donated materials, such as Timbercity, Nazir Hardware, CTM, Cashbuild, HEB Transport and Langanda Timberyard. 

One of the beneficiaries, a pensioner, Mr Frans Ramaloko, said the donations came at the right time because he did not have any shelter. “We initially thought that the people in the rural areas are neglected, but we are very thankful because we know that there are people who care out there,” he added.

Date:19 November 2014

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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