MOSSEL BAY NEWS - July was Mandela Month and a suitable way to round it off is to tell the stories of two women making a positive impact in the community.
It was recommended by an independent person in KwaNonqaba that the Mossel Bay Advertiser interview them because of the good work they do. They certainly do more than spend 67 minutes helping people on Mandela Day each year.
Mamgqwashu Senty, who lives in Zone 7, said: "It all started last year when the lockdown began. I started washing people's clothes for them.
"Children came to my house to ask if I had something to eat. If you give to one child, you have to give to another."
Feeds 40 children
That is how her helping people grew. It started with 16 children and now Mamgqwashu feeds about 40. "I make food on Saturdays for the people in need around me. Sometimes my fiance manages to get bread buns because he works at a supermarket."
Mamgqwashu writes about her needs for the children on her Facebook page, Mamgqwashu Senty.
"Some people are not working and they only get a grant for their children. I told them, 'Bring your child and get something to eat.'
"I also ask people if they want clothes. I go to their house and check the situation to see if they are really in need and give them clothes."
Mamgqwashu says: "Some people pay me for washing clothes for them. I go and collect the money and then call all the children and buy them something to eat."
She herself is not working and she has three children, two girls aged 16 and 12, and a boy, aged 10.
Mamgqwashu Senty
Handed out toys
Mamgqwashu also collected toys for the children and handed them out.
Vuyolwethu Cushe started her charitable work by collecting newborn clothes for women who couldn't afford them.
She says: "This success inspired me to help disabled people who need diapers. From there I started helping people who lost everything because of fires.
"Together with my cousin Noluvuyo Myeko, I organised a learnership at Crosslink College for 30 pupils who are disabled to get their Grade 12.
"I then opened an NPO, called Ikhaya. It includes sport, recreation, learnerships and boxing. Together with the partners I have, I want to keep the youth from trouble by involving them in sport."
Vuyolwethu also organised grocery donations for the unemployed during Mandela Month.
She lives in Barcelona and works as a house keeper in Dana Bay two days a week.
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