Local author joins hands with community to give back on Mandela Day
ORANGE GROVE – The family also appreciated the donations of groceries from the Norwood CPF.
Two local business owners joined hands with members of Norwood CPF to give their 67 minutes for Mandela Day.
Local author and owner of Jo’burg North Pest Control and Cleaning Services, Mongi Maphipha partnered with owner of Imvelo Pest Control and Cleaning Services, Luyanda Klaas, and Cebi Mngqinambi and Francinah Mfolo of the CPF.
The team visited the Shelembe family in Orange Grove where they disinfected their home, installed rat bait stations, donated food parcels and a copy of Maphipha’s book I’m dyslexic not stupid.
Maphipha explained that Ntombifuti Shelembe was an elderly woman who is raising her three grandchildren alongside her two daughters. She earns a living by collecting and recycling rubbish.
“Her whole yard is filled with rubbish ranging from bottles, cardboard boxes, plastics etc. With strict lockdown rules, she hasn’t been able to take rubbish to the recycling depots. As a result, rats have infested the area in large numbers, also invading neighbours’ houses,” said Maphipha.
“In keeping with Tata Mandela’s stance on peace, we decided to install the bait stations for her. That should reduce and control rats in her yard and keep peace between her and her neighbours.”
Klaas said, “We are living in very dangerous times. Ms Shelembe is old and vulnerable to Covid-19. Disinfecting her house will keep her and her family safe for a time.”
The family also appreciated the donations of groceries from the Norwood CPF.
Mngqinambi said, “We are all affected [by lockdown], but we were taught the culture of sharing. That is why we took the little we have and shared with the Shelembe family.”
Shelembe expressed her gratitude for the donation and visit and said that it would help her improve relationships with her neighbours.
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