Hundreds of Malawian nationals gathered outside the Malawi Consulate General in Woodmead, could begin their journey home tomorrow, after a humanitarian organisation announced it had secured buses to assist the group.

Speaking to the Sandton Chronicle on a phone call, Phaskani Msiska, national co-ordinator for the Malawi Diaspora Humanitarian Support Initiative, said the organisation had mobilised support from well-wishers to help stranded Malawians return home. “We came together to respond to the current humanitarian disaster. As well-wishers, we raised money to hire buses that will assist Malawians who want to go back home.

Read more: Helps pours in, but stranded Malawians still await transport home

“We are not from the consulate. We are the Malawi Diaspora Humanitarian Support Initiative, and our role is simply: To assist.”

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WATCH: Hope may be on the horizon for hundreds of Malawian nationals gathered outside the Malawi Consulate General in Woodmead. Phaskani Msiska, national co-ordinator of the Malawi Diaspora Humanitarian Support Initiative, says the organisation has raised funds to provide two buses that could transport more than 130 people back to Malawi. Video: Ayanda Ntshingila and Xoliswa Zakwe #Sandton #Woodmead #Fourways #Malawi #illegalforeigners #June30

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The organisation has secured two buses for the first group of passengers. “One bus has 70 seats and the second bus has 66 seats.”

However, Msiska noted that while the buses are expected to be available tomorrow, the consulate will determine where, and which passengers will board. “We are providing the buses, but the consulate will provide the list of people who will board them and will direct us on where to collect them. I don’t want to confirm that the buses will depart from the consulate because that decision rests with the consulate.”

Also read: Residents rally to support stranded Malawians outside consulate in Woodmead

He added that the initiative hopes public awareness of its efforts will encourage more donations to assist additional Malawians still waiting to return home. “We would appreciate media coverage because we want people to see that donations are making a real difference. We hope more well-wishers will come forward so we can continue helping those who are still stranded.”

At the time of publication, the group remained gathered outside the Malawi Consulate General in Woodmead.

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