The past few weeks of the national lockdown have highlighted the dire struggles of hundreds of families across SA.
The long queues of people awaiting food parcels have shown just how many people are struggling to make ends meet.
For a group of more than 100 people aged of 21-34 in Dutywa, who have witnessed tragic scenes unfold in Zimpuku village, something had to be done.
With money from their own pockets as well as donations from businesspeople in the village, they have managed to feed 17 families since the initiative started a week ago.
Some from the group are unemployed, yet they are still helping those even less fortunate than themselves.
The group said while frontline workers like doctors and nurses were doing their best to fight the coronavirus, communities need to rally to ensure people did not go to bed on empty stomachs.
We all can do the little that we can
Thabisa Wakeni, speaking on behalf of the group, said many people from the remote village were struggling.
“We formed a WhatsApp group as young people in this village because we could not meet. We devised plans on how we can assist struggling families.
“Many people are struggling and we are trying to help in any way we can,” Wakeni said.
Some of the beneficiaries include child-headed homes and elderly people with no identity documents.
More than R8,000 was collected to feed the first batch of families but they have also raised an additional R5,000 to continue their contribution.
“We will continue with this initiative and ask for donations as the lockdown continues so we can alleviate and bring relief and smiles to families who are otherwise saddened by their state in this time.
“We have collected enough money so we can donate food parcels to another 10 families,” she said.
Wakeni called on the department of home affairs to assist six elderly people from the village with IDs.
Unemployed Aseza Sizakele, 21, who started the initiative and is the youngest among the group, said the village had fallen behind in terms of developments such as roads and schools.
The Lovedale College student called on good Samaritans to continue to extend a helping hand.
“Only a few people from our village benefited from the government-issued parcels. That triggered this much-needed initiative for anyone who can to donate the little they have.
“The decision is borne out of looking after the wellbeing of all the struggling families. We have seen people not benefiting from these government food parcels and that is painful.
“We all can do the little that we can and ease suffering where there is any,” he said.
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