Mfuleni community leader killed over food parcels!
By Nomacebo Mbayo
Mfuleni is one of the areas known to be the hotspot during xenophobic attacks, most of the spaza shops in the area are owned by foreign nationals. In the spirit of solidarity, a group of spaza shop owners originally from Ethiopia and Somalia came to the rescue of the community during this pandemic.
“We have been trying for weeks to contact the leadership of Mfuleni after we realized that the community were in need of food security in this time of the COVID 19”, said Teshome Handiso Ethiopian spaza shop owner who was also in the front line of pushing the initiative. After weeks of trying, the shop owners finally landed in the right door which led them to pitching the idea which finally led to the practicality of the idea. “No one forced us to come up with this plan. This is us showing the community appreciation for welcoming us to do business in the community, showing the spirit of Africanism countering Xenophobia building a relationship going forward” added Teshome.
The Spaza shop owners manage to collect 1000 food parcels from donations made by each shop in the area. Each of the areas received 50 food parcels for those who are most vulnerable in the area. The parcels were collected by two community leaders from these areas.
Esibaneni phola park, Burundi, Bardale, Ext 4, Ext 5, Ext 6, Garden City, Phase 1, New flats, Nama holo and other neighbouring areas not mentioned.
Danial Makkah also from Ethiopia thanked the leadership for supporting the initiative and allowing the small business to operate in the area and help where it is necessary. Themba Gova*, community leader expressed his feelings about the gratitude that is contributed by the shop owners including the community leaders adhering to all the lockdown regulations by ensuring that [people are safe and safe from the spread of COVID-19]. The community leaders also included SAPS to safeguard the process.
Another community leader, Anthony Tau* from Garden City appreciated the Shop owners for coming forward and were very happy that those in need will get the food parcels and keep indoors during the lockdown. However there were concerns about some of the areas failing to be transparent about how they got the list together.
The new leadership of Burundi was concerned about how the old committee took over the process of registration. “I am concerned about the food parcels ending up in the circles of the old leadership and not getting to those who really need the food,” said the leader from Burundi who wished to remain anonymous.
The distribution process was postponed three times to avoid angry community members who claim that they were not consulted about who will receive food. A large group of people not on the list were standing outside Manzomthombo high school hoping that if there are any left overs they may benefit. Community leaders were generally happy with the process and appreciated the support from SAPS during the distribution. The very next morning after food distribution, Sandile Dastile, known as Makhendlas, the man leading the process was gunned down and lost his life for caring for the people and loving his community. Comrade Makhendlas is gone, the community is grieving and the rest of the leadership’s lives are in danger too.
*Not their real names
