Barbeque Downs gives the gift of 67

Barbeque Downs Community is giving the gift of 67 minutes for Mandela Day for the second time this year in its annual beneficiary dinner, Gift 67.

Last year, the community raised enough funds to purchase four refurbished computers for Midrand Child Welfare and essential items for Ikageng Crèche in Ivory Park.

This year, Chairman of Barbeque Downs Community Candice James said the dinner would raise funds to buy some of the items on the wish lists of Cobra United Soccer Team and Kids with Rhythm.

James explained that Cobra United is a project inspired by Richmond Phidzaulima who is a resident, father and coach who lives in Diepsloot. Phidzaulima started coaching soccer to a group of children in the interest of preventing them from wondering the streets and being involved in illegal activities.

James said, “The team has now grown to over 60 children and more and more keep coming. The team has entered the local league and all teams are doing so well.”

Kids with Rhythm is also a Diepsloot project that was founded by Tsepo Machitele and his brother Duke, as reported in Music to young ears, week ending 19 April. With a background of growing up in a shelter, the brothers turned to music and dance to inspire them and now they started Kids with Rhythm to inspire youth in shelters with the beat of drums. The project is currently unfunded and the brothers ask for donations while they look for a full-time sponsor.

James said, “This project gives these kids something to dream about and look beyond their current circumstances for something more positive in the future.”

The dinner will be held on 12 July and Ward 93 Councillor Annette Deppe will join the community in delivering the items on Mandela Day, 18 July.

Details: gift67@bbqdowns.com