Hundreds of people from Langa gathered at the Seventh Day Adventist Church to get free clothes on Sunday 15 May ahead of the winter season.
The church, in partnership with food security organisation Meals on Wheels, hosted a Dignity Shop where deserving residents were given free vouchers valued at R1 500 to buy different clothes at reduced prices. The items included jeans, dresses, shirts and jackets among others.
Speaking on behalf of the church, Bongiwe Mbunge, one of the project committee members, said their aim is to assist needy people.
“We collect the clothes and give back to the community. Today we are mostly targeting the shack fire victims from Joe Slovo informal settlement, but we also give anyone who wants. We give them vouchers and just monitor that people don’t take clothes exceeding the value of the voucher,” said Mbunge.
Mbunge said the annual event has been happening since 2018.
“It is the fourth year now. We started it in 2018 till 2020. Then we took a break due to the Covid-19 regulations. We are now resuming,” she explained.
She described the initiative as unique. She said the plan is to roll it out in other areas.
“This is a unique concept and we wish that other organisations can take it and practice in their areas. Our aim is to see people doing things on their own instead of expecting someone from outside to do it for them. We have received a request from Clanwilliam to do the same thing and are also planning to do it at the University of the Western Cape. But the way we will conduct it will be different from each area. We are not going to run the same way as we do here,” she explained.
Beneficiary Lucy Magwa (38) described the initiative as helpful.
“I bought winter clothes for my children. Their clothes are still in good condition. And getting such clothes for free is a blessing,” said Magwa.
The unemployed mother of three said she heard about the handover through a friend. “I couldn’t believe it when my friend showed me her bag of clothes and told me that she got them for free. I came here running thinking that people will finish them,” said Magwa.
She expressed her gratitude to the church members and urged them to continue with the “great job”.
