The Herald would like to note that Lincoln Molopa is not doing the article for publicity or recognition, he had to be convinced by the Herald for an interview.

LIMPOPO – In a small village where hopelessness hung heavily, one man’s extraordinary act of kindness turned sorrow into hope for three siblings.

Lincoln Molopa, a businessman from Namakgale, has stepped in to rewrite the lives of three orphaned siblings from Majeje 3 in Selwane village. What began as a community food parcel drive blossomed into a life-changing moment when Molopa adopted the siblings after learning about their dire circumstances.

The heartbreaking moment unfolded during a food parcel distribution event on, January 1, at the Municipal lapa. Molopa, together with Edmond Mbetse, the founder of the SpeakOut Phalaborwa Facebook page, well-known for helping the community, had organised the event to provide 150 families with food parcels.

However, things took a deeply emotional turn when a 17-year-old girl, overwhelmed with gratitude, approached Mbetse, knelt before him, and thanked him after everyone else had left.

Her quiet gesture of appreciation unveiled a heartbreaking story that, she and her younger siblings, aged 14 and 12, had lost both parents and were living in desperate poverty.

“I was surprised and curious as to why she came to thank me when everyone else had just left. I then inquired about her family’s situation, only to discover that she and her younger siblings had lost both parents and were struggling to survive,” Mbetse explained.

Molopa had already asked Mbetse to assist him in identifying a destitute family that he could adopt. “Following my conversation with the young girl, I concluded that they are the family, particularly considering that she approached me unaware that we were trying to find a family to adopt,” Mbetse continued.

To assist, Molopa and Mbetse visited the children’s home in Selwane and confirmed their dire circumstances. The family had been relying on the goodwill of neighbours, uncles, and a teacher who provided clothing and toiletries for the eldest sibling. Molopa was moved by their situation and decided to adopt the siblings for good.

The children now live in a secure and fully furnished home in Namakgale, previously purchased by Molopa for rental purposes. They live with their aunt, Tintswalo Hlongwane, who has been their pillar of support and is enrolled at Francolin College. Molopa ensures that they receive groceries monthly and has pledged to support them until they establish their careers.

“I wanted them to stay with my parents at first, but I realised that they needed a more comfortable environment. This house was initially meant to be rented out, but I decided it is where they should call home,” Molopa explained.

Molopa’s generosity extends far beyond this family.

Known for his community-driven spirit, he has long championed initiatives to alleviate poverty in Phalaborwa. In 2021, he led a strike advocating for better opportunities for residents and has consistently urged businesses to employ locals for even small contracts that could transform lives. He also donated food parcels to the community in 2021 in partnership with the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality.

“I promised myself that when everything works out for me, I will practice what I have been preaching to other companies. This adoption is the first achievement of my goals and not the last. This is what I have been asking companies and municipalities to do,” he said.

Molopa stated that he wants the adopted children to live the life they deserve with a stable home, adequate education and a strong foundation in faith. “They are my responsibility now.”
He also added that should things go well, this might be an annual initiative.

Mbetse highlighted that he contacted disadvantaged families to register for food parcels on air, some of which were already on the list from the previous year. Molopa sponsored the initiative and purchased food parcels for 150 families. He then asked him to choose one poor family for adoption.

“Helping people is my calling. Knowing that I have benefitted someone makes me happy every night when I go to sleep,” said Mbetse.

Hlongwane expressed her immense gratitude for Molopa and Mbetse’s support. “These children had no source of income after their father passed away last year. I am grateful beyond words to SpeakOut Phalaborwa and Molopa for stepping in. May God bless everyone who has helped us along the way,” she said.