CDM reaches out to Pontsho Disability Centre

The Executive Mayor of Capricorn District Municipality (CDM), John Mpe, members of his mayoral committee as well as senior municipal managers and councillors visited Pontsho Disability Centre in Khureng village, Zebediela where they painted classrooms and planted trees last Wedneday. The gesture was part of the municipality‘s commemoration of the 67 minutes for Mandela initiative.
Mpe, joined by role players from the business community, handed over groceries, educational books, toys, blankets, mattresses, toddlers’ bibs, handkerchiefs, sanitary towels, curtains, window handles, cleaning materials, wooden doors, locks, a fridge, gas stove, ceiling material, floor mops and brooms to the management of the centre.
Mpe said the donation was a gift of love to the children and other persons living at the centre. “Mandela was a special humanitarian who lived on earth. He was a unifier and a great leader. He helped those in need. We remember him for his deeds. As the municipality we chose this centre because it does a lot for our children whom we love so much. We became aware of the need experienced here and took it upon ourselves help our people because they voted for us and we must wipe their tears and be the legacy Mandela has lived for,” Mpe stated.
Beforehand the entourage toured the centre to get a picture of its general state. They evaluated the centre’s dilapidated sanitation facilities which, according to Mpe, needs to be fixed. “There are many things that need attention at this centre and the sanitation area is one of them. We also realised that the centre needs a water connection and pressure pump for reticulation, new recreational facilities and new mattresses. We are going to assist them in getting these,” he said.
Centre manager Mokete Chauke said they were grateful to have been chosen by the municipality. “We are happy to be a beneficiary of their initiative. When we approached them in April and told them about our needs we never thought they will respond to us. We don’t have words to express our gratitude to them, all we can say is that everything they have given us, the food parcels, the blankets, the gas stove, all of it will help us a lot. We were using a small stove which was insufficient but we will now be able to prepare meals for all the children on time,” Chauke said.
He added that the centre had been established by his mother Pontso Chauke in 2002 after realising the need in the Zebediela area and surrounds.
“We started with only three children and now we are catering for 55 children from different backgrounds. We are happy to help the disabled persons and children in the area because there are not enough centres that cater for such persons in the area.
“We still can’t find words to thank the municipality for the touching gesture. We will definitely make good use of everything we received from them,” concluded Chauke.

Story and photos: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert.observer@gmail.com