NPO feeds pensioners at Sassa pay point in Kopanong

A Soweto based NPO has been a source of relief and hope for hundreds of pensioners who get a warm hearty breakfast meal as they wait in long queues at a SASSA pay point in Kopanong , Dobsonville every month since 2021.

The feeding scheme initiative was inspired by the snaking lines of elderly persons who often wait several hours in line on empty stomachs while they make the gruelling wait for their turn to get their monthly government grants.

Kagiso Kedijang, founder of Batho Pele Foundation said the need to provide meals was a necessity.

Kedijang cited that the aim of the scheme was to positively change the heart wrenching experiences of many pensioners when collecting their grant.

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“This initiative was sparked by the devastation that our elderly people face when it’s time to get their grant payments. We hear reports that some collapse because they are weak, exhausted and fragile.

Many of them are struggling; they come here to que as early as 5am to be front in line.

Some walk long distances because this is the only pay point that they can come to, while others are on medication and have to stand the whole day.

“So the initiative bridges this gap and make sure that when they are here, they have something to sustain themselves and allow then to be able to take their medication.”

The charity feeding scheme is currently serving almost 500 meals a month on the first day of the grant payments.

In addition to this initiative, the organisation focuses extensively on feeding the community through backyard farming, a plantation programme in two local schools to aid nutrition and a weekly feeding programme on Wednesdays.

“As an organisation, we recognise the impact they have had on us; these are the backbones of society,” he said.

“The foundation was established with the hope of giving trust and hope that was lost in our community.

“There is a lot of poverty and unemployment in our community and this has been worsened by the inflation and increasing food prices.”

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The initiative is currently run without sponsors and the organisation has pleaded for assistance in getting sponsorship from local businesses in the area.

They told Urban News a sponsorship would allow them to expand their services to other Sassa pay points and be able to provide lunch as well.

“We currently only serve breakfast but support from local businesses will allow us to cover more footprint.

“We can start providing not only one meal but also lunch and more nutritional food. It will also ensure that we are able to also cover both days,” he said.