Happy dancing, singing and ululation were the order of the day when elderly people from Lwandle and the surrounding areas were showered with grocery hampers on Thursday 30 June.
The event day was made possible by a collaboration between Gift of the Givers, Ward 86 councillor, Xolani Diniso and the SA National Civics Organisation (Sanco).
Over 200 hampers were distributed to the elderly and victims from the recent flooding.
Joyful songs reverberated at the Nomzamo Community Hall with many unable to control their emotions during these tough economic times.
Lwandle resident Nontobeko Galada said the day meant a lot to the elderly of the area.
She said some elderly residents dependent on the (South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) grant while others were left to care for their grandchildren. “This brought a lot of smiles and excitement to our elderly. Remember to them this is also about giving back their dignity and confidence that they are still cared for,” she said.
Another resident Oscarina Thukumbela said they appreciated the efforts being shown towards them as elderly people.
“We are grateful to see that we are not yet forgotten as older people of Lwandle. The gift came in at a right time because we all know food is very expensive these days,” she said.
Thukumbela said the hampers will go a long way as many homes are headed by grandmothers who must look after their grandchildren.
Diniso said: “I never saw such joy and happiness from our senior citizens knowing for the fact that we love them and we will continue to cherish them during difficult and happy times.”
Diniso thanked all the volunteers who came in numbers to support the programme by making sure everything was done accordingly. He also made special mention to one of the prominent organisation which advocate humanity and uBuntu, The Gift of the Givers, whom he described like family members to the people of Strand. He also thanked a top retailer for making the programme a success.
