Joining hands to change lives in Muldersdrift

Muldersdrift Community Policing Forum (CPF) managed to provide over 100 000 meals to the most vulnerable in their community.

The majority of people in this area live from hand to mouth, bringing in just enough money to keep hunger at bay for one more day.

This is because of the economic reality surrounding us, and the fact that a lot of unskilled employment in this area that depend on the hospitality industry have lost their jobs for the duration of the lockdown. Most of the community thought they would be able to weather the initial 21-day lockdown with the help of the state food parcels, but within a week many hungry people were standing at the gates of home dwellers, as food parcels were non-existent. Everyone started seeing the inequality in our society.

Initially, the Muldersdrift CPF posted a plea on various community WhatsApp groups for donations of tinned food to be left at various drop-off points in the community. “We started the initiative that reaches out to all the informal settlements in our area, identifying and prioritising those with the most desperate need. We have thus far identified 16 official informal settlements, low-cost housing developments, approximately 40 farm compounds and between 30 to 40 white farmers/ plot dwellers … a population of between 25 000 to 30 000. Community leaders from each informal settlement drew up lists of families needing help,” said Sam Barale on behalf of the Muldersdrift Food Security Initiative.

To do this, local churches, farmers, businesses and private citizens have donated enough money, food and produce daily to help those in need. Local storage facilities have made space available for supplies to be stored. One restaurant has opened their facility to be used to set up a soup kitchen for volunteers to safely prepare and distribute the food. Security companies have aided by collecting food, making sure it is sanitised, escorting the CPF to drop-off points and adding a security contingent to the food-distribution process.

“Donations of money have helped us to buy maize and bread from large distributors, but now we need financial assistance as volunteers have started to return to work, and the community itself is unable to sustain the financial burden indefinitely into the future. We realise that continued help may be needed long after lockdown, as has been proven. As desperate people may have to resort to crime in order to feed their families, we are trying to continue as long as possible,” Sam added.

She said if we are to build our country to the place where we can move forward in a positive way, we need to leave no one behind. If we could accomplish this, we could take the motto ‘Proudly South African’ to a much higher level.

Any contributions in the form of non-perishable groceries or cash are welcome. For drop-off points and details about electronic funds transfer, contact Sam on 082 854 1958.