Lions club thanks Lwande for random act of kindness
He used some of his birthday money to buy groceries, which he handed to the service organisation, for distribution to the less fortunate.
For his 22nd birthday, Lwande Mkwenkweni decided to give food to the less fortunate.
Mkwenkweni from Manaba who shared a birthday – on Sunday, February 20 – with famous singers Rihanna and Kurt Cobain – became an overnight star on social media for his act of kindness.
The former Port Shepstone High pupil, who is studying mechanical engineering, said he had gone to church that morning where God had moved him.
“God spoke in my ear and said I needed to give something. I had heard of the Lions Club but never knew too much about them. So, I did some research on the internet and found the Shelly Beach Lions. They seemed legit, so I gave Johann Bentley a call,” he said.
They arranged to meet, and Bentley was grateful to receive the parcels of non-perishable food.
“Shelly Beach Lions salute you Lwande for you kindness and yes everything makes a difference to people who needs it. It doesn’t matter how big or small. You are a genuine hero in this world,” said Bentley.
The Shelly Beach Lions feeds between 10 and 20 families and gives R4000 a month to Tent City for food and gas. They also support many other children’s homes and other homes for the elderly. The volunteers are also involved in a list of community projects, such as beach clean-ups, sugar diabetes testing and their ‘Bright Eye’ programme.
For Mkwenkweni this was the first time giving to a non-profit organisation. “I was given some birthday money and I used R250 of it, to go buy groceries for the Lions,” he said.
Mkwenkweni said the feeling of giving was ‘wonderful’ and he had the best birthday ever!
“It was such a special feeling to give, and I never expected so much praise (or response) from the community for my small deed of giving,” he said.
Samantha Bentley, president of the Shelly Beach Lions, said it doesn’t matter if you give R10 or R10 000 – every cent (and person) can make a difference to someone who needs food or help.
“Where there is a need, there is a Lion – and if there weren’t people like Lwande, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. One random act of kindness can mean so much to another person or family.”
She recalled the famous starfish story where a young girl was walking along a beach where thousands of starfish had washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. “You can’t save all these starfish but can begin to make a difference!”
The Shelly Beach Lions will host a golf day at the Margate Country Club on Saturday, March 26.
If you can help donate food for those in need, contact Lindy Visser, the Lions community service director on 083 2970118.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
