Local businessman gives back to the needy

Hundreds of families around Endumeni are going to bed with empty stomachs. Causes of this situation include the withdrawal of major businesses from Dundee, including Consol, the Beechnut/Life Savers factory (known as ‘Kilty’s’), Alucab, as well as the collapse of the railway station in Glencoe.

Young businessman Siqu Zungu was touched by the situation of many poor residents in town: he drove all the way from Durban to help a number of needy families in Dundee.

According to Mr Zungu, he was approached by Endumeni Mayor Thulani Mahaye, who told him about three different families who are struggling to bury family members.

Mr Zungu bought groceries to the value of R4 000 for each family so that they could continue with funeral arrangements. “This is a sad situation that is attacking my town. Before, our grandparents, mothers and fathers used to work at these big businesses, but unfortunately now people have to survive through government grants,” said Mr Zungu.

“I appeal to all business-people in Dundee, especially blacks, to learn to build our country by putting their hands together.”

Mr Zungu told Endumeni Speaker Sduduzo Mdluli (representing the Endumeni mayor) that he will also buy coffins for these families. He promised to have a meeting with speaker and the mayor, during which they will identify 40 needy families to benefit through his company for a period of six months.