Those of us who had the liberty to read a book entitled “The Student Companion” recall phrases and proverbs which we tended to recite in every engagement. One that comes to mind is, “In every dark cloud there is a silver lining.”
A dark cloud befell five Msimango children from Matsulu Township within the Mbombela Local Municipality following the passing on of their mother in 2009 leaving them truly helpless in a makeshift structure that could not resemble a shelter for human habitation.
They were left without anyone to call family as their father had long disappeared and had played no part in their upbringing. They had to endure the hardship of life throughout their rearing, with no identity documents as such they could not benefit from the social grant programme and life was unbearable for them until a God sent companion made a turn that changed their meaning of life completely.
This companion was the chairperson of the Social Cluster Committee, Mrs Reginah Mhaule who was on a door to door activity as part of her constituency responsibility on 20 July 2013. She could not contain her sadness on the state of affairs that these children found themselves in as she pronounced that everything will be done to extend a helping hand to them.
Immediately calls rang endlessly with offers to ensure that a new page of life is opened for these children. This brought to fruition a fully furnished four bedroom house with a kitchen and a lounge as well as clothing donated by the staff of the Department of Education.
Indeed a silver lining presented itself in real terms as today there stand majestically a beacon of hope and fulfilment of dreams for these children who are already looking at life with greater determination and courage, thanks to all the people and institutions who made this possible.
Those who made this possible include Big Sky Travel, Sure Lowveld Travel, Mpumalanga Regional Training Trust (MRTT), Clear Choice Builders, Abacus, Siyakhula Foods and Welcome Stores, Social Cluster Departments and the Department of Home Affairs.
The trustful companion will return to this township this time in the company of those who made it possible that a new leaf of life is turned for the Msimango children to officially hand over the house, identity documents, as well as the title deed.
The visit will also serve to appreciate the benevolence and the patriotic gestures from all the people and institutions who enacted their love and care. This occasion is scheduled for Friday, 15 November 2013 at 10h00 still in Matsulu Township (Youth Centre), Mbombela Local Municipality.
“It is amazing to see the wonderful work done in a short space of time in the quest to change the lives of these children for the better. We will forever remain indebted to all the people and institutions that dug deep into their pockets to make sure that this dream is realised,” said MEC Mhaule.
The media is invited.
For more information:
Jasper Zwane
Cell: 083 743 1804
E-mail: j.zwane@education.mpu.gov.za
