Healing Lives and restaurant partners treat Tsakani children while Reconciliation NPO appeals for support
Healing Lives, together with Thunder Eagle Spur, RocoMamas and Panarottis at Carnival City, treated more than 30 children from Reconciliation NPO to a special meal while appealing for support to help sustain the organisation's work.
Tsakani – Healing Lives in partnership with Rocomamas, Panarottis and Thunder Eagle Spur at Carnival brought smiles onto children’s faces in Tsakani on July 14.
Over 30 meals were served to children who are beneficiaries of Reconciliation NPO. The NPO, run by a church, serves as a soup kitchen providing meals to children in Tsakani.
It was established by Sombu and Magazi Nhlapo.
It mainly caters for children whose parents are substance users, some who have single parents and others who are being raised by elders.
The NPO was established in 2019, at the peak of Covid, after the Nhlapos had a vision.
“Our passion is within children and working with them. I believe God aligned us to kids because we strive to see them doing and receiving good things,” explained Sombu.
“Children love us and we have always been people who love cooking, and kids would just come.”
Apart from the soup kitchen, the Nhlapos assist children with homework and run initiatives and drives that benefit them.
“We collect pre-loved clothes, school necessities and other basic needs that help the children.
“We often do things from our own pocket and get help when made available to us.
“We are in great need of sponsors or donations that can help better these children’s lives,” she added.
She explained that children who come to them for help come from different backgrounds, are hungry, and many have not eaten for days.
“The children come on Tuesdays, Thursdays and on Fridays. They often do not eat meat, and we mainly rely on soup.
“If there are people who can provide us with meat, it would make a huge difference,” she said.
She urged individuals to come forward with donations, especially for school items, clothes, and learning materials.
She explained that a number of activities have led to the development of their own football club, which also needs a soccer kit.
Sombu explained that entertainment is the number one thing keeping these kids going, adding that they love music.
“We would also appreciate a moveable sound speaker for the kids, as many love to dance and sing,” added Sombu.
Sombu thanked Healing Lives and its partners for showing them love through warm meals. She cited how happy she was for the kids and expressed how proud she was to see them smile.
Thunder Eagle Spur operations manager Elias Mokwena said the restaurant’s support for the NPO forms part of its ongoing commitment to giving back to the community.
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“We have been working with this NPO for some time, so this is not the first time we have supported them. Giving back to the community is part of our ongoing initiatives.
“The last time we assisted them, we promised we would return, and that is why we are here again today,” said Mokwena.
“It is all about giving people hope. Not everyone is able to come to Spur, but everyone knows Spur.
“If people cannot come to us, then the idea is for us to go to them.”
By doing so, Mokwena said they can make a positive difference in their lives while building stronger relationships with the community.
Founder of Healing Lives, Sibusiso Radebe, said they first connected with Reconciliation NPO through another outreach project that he was doing for Chance Children’s Home in December 2024.
He explains that that is where he met Sombu and her community work.
“We exchanged contact details, and since then, we have been assisting. Today’s event is especially meaningful because it is my birthday, and I chose to celebrate it by giving back to the children,” he said.
Radebe explained that Healing Lives has been serving communities for the past 12 years, and he has seen the impact their work has on people’s lives.
“Being able to make a difference brings a sense of fulfilment that nothing else can replace.
“We are extremely grateful to our partners for believing in our cause and for always being willing to support us whenever we reach out.
“We hope to continue strengthening these partnerships so that together we can change even more lives,” he added.
