Good Samaritan on a continuous charity mission

Resident and good Samaritan Mapule Mphatswe is in the habit of giving back to the needy and recently donated food parcels to those who are less fortunate throughout Rand West City and even as far as Kempton Park on the East Rand.

This is because according to her, poverty knows no boundaries as it is spread across all areas.

Speaking to the Herald, Mphatswe said she started the act of giving back years ago because she comes from a disadvantaged background and knows the smell of poverty.

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“This thing started back when I was young. My family was suffering. We had little to nothing when growing up. I remember this one time we were passing near a house and this woman was throwing out her spoilt meat. My mother asked for it and insisted on taking it despite being rotten because we needed it.

“We were truly suffering. On the days when we had food, we had to cook outside using fire and on other days there was not even much to cook. That’s when I vowed to myself that when I start working, I will do my best to help those who are less fortunate and share my money with people and that’s where this drive comes from.

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“I know how it feels to be in that position of having nothing and I’ve tasted suffering, hence it pains me to see the next person suffer,” said Mphatswe, who added she used to go to school without shoes, and it was a really hard time for them as a family.

She added that she started with her initiatives back in 2008 and would go to different informal settlements in the region, to hand out old clothes that she collected from people.

She would also go out to the informal settlements from time to time, to cook for the children in the area.

Her target areas have also been dumping sites where she would help feed those who were looking through piles of rubbish, to get food that others have thrown away.

“I’ve been doing this since 2008 and in 2013, I went to the St Johns Centre which also has a shelter for orphans. I donated school shoes and bags, and this gave me so much joy, considering where I come from. I have no choice but to give with the little money that I have,” said Mphatswe.

Mphatswe is the founder of the Mapule Mphatswe Foundation which does charity work and was formally established in 2021 but has been doing good deeds for the community since 2008.

She is appealing to residents and the business community to help sponsor her foundation with groceries, sanitary pans, school shoes, and other clothing items.

Those who wish to offer a helping hand can contact her on 079 907 6237 items.