Led by MEC Leah Mabuza and Mayor Mhlonishwa Masilela, the officials visited the Thandanani Old Age Home to deliver vital winter supplies and plant trees.

The visit was to celebrate Mandela Day and support the home with essential grocery items.

Mabuza said they are planning to use the home’s land as a garden to cut down food costs while uniting the community.

Unemployed local youth will work alongside elderly residents to tend the garden, encouraging teamwork across generations.

“It is our vision as the provincial government that households and community centres should have food gardens. Thandanani has a big yard, and we want to ensure they do not have to rely on buying vegetables,” said Mabuza.

Winter relief and green drive

In line with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s national environmental drive, the team planted three trees on-site to help tackle climate change.

To help residents survive the harsh winter, the department also handed out food parcels, warm winter blankets and hula hoops for active recreation.

“Pension grants and child support grants are often not enough to cover every basic need. It has nothing to do with electioneering; it is cold, and the government must step in where it can to ease these financial hardships,” she said.

Support for local artists

Beyond immediate relief, Mabuza touched on regional talent development.

While acknowledging the upcoming Nkangala Arts and Music Awards, she shared that the provincial department is open to supporting local artists as it plans its own broader Mpumalanga Arts and Culture Awards.

Masilela praised the teamwork between provincial leadership, municipal staff, local youth groups and sponsors, highlighting how civic participation and local creativity can bring real, positive change to the region.