Paul ‘Father Christmas’ Mashatile descends on Alex to pour out gifts and goodies
ALEXANDRA – Father Christmas landed in Alexandra on 15 December and crisscrossed the township handing out gifts and goodies.
Father Christmas in the form of ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile arrived early in Alexandra bearing gifts and goodies for the township’s four old age homes.
The four homes that he touched base at on 15 December were Itlhokomeleng Old Age Home, Roman Catholic Church’s Joseph Gerard Old Age Home, Alex Hospice and Rehabilitation Centre, and Puthaditjaba Qoqizizwe Centre that provides meals for the elderly in the township under philanthropist Linda Twala.
Mashatile, an Alexandrian himself who was educated at Alex High School where he met his childhood sweetheart, the late Manzi Mashatile who passed away on 5 July, crisscrossed the township delivering presents and food parcels, including some to the 10 municipal wards.
Speaking to Alex News at one of the homes, Mashatile acknowledged that the year 2020 had been a particularly difficult one not just for the poor and elderly but for the whole country and the global community as a result of the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I know communities such as yourselves were the hardest hit as you have next to nothing but often make do with little at your disposal. We have come here to share what we have with you.
“Christmas maybe two weeks away but that does not stop us from extending a helping hand and wishing all of you a merry festive season,” said Mashatile.
He reminded the elderly that Covid-19 was still active and urged everyone to ‘always wear your masks, wash your hands regularly if not frequently and sanitise whenever you can while observing social distancing in public spaces, and together we can beat this virus’.
Mashatile wished ‘Mother Teresa’ Dr Marjorie Manganye a happy 90th birthday in advance. “We pray to the Almighty to bless you and live to see many more of your birthdays. You still have a lot of work to do on this earth.”
Turning to Manganye’s youngest daughter, Busisiwe Mathe, the new ‘Mother Teresa’ in the making, Mashatile wished her good luck in filling the big shoes and taking Marjorie’s legacy and Itlhokomeleng to posterity.
