Communities rally to support underpriviledged communities
As many of these people earn their living in the informal trading sector and by providing non-essential services which were suspended during the lockdown, The Ark in Richards Bay, an umbrella of community-based organisations, have worked tirelessly to address the plight of the homeless and vulnerable groups
SINCE the introduction of the national lockdown, many households were immediately plunged into food shortage crises which prompted non-profit and non-governmental organisations to step in and address the plight in disadvantaged and vulnerable communities.
As many of these people earn their living in the informal trading sector and by providing non-essential services which were suspended during the lockdown, The Ark in Richards Bay, an umbrella of community-based organisations, have worked tirelessly to address the plight of the homeless and vulnerable groups.
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One of their beneficiaries, Rhana Naicker – the outgoing CEO of the Bayede Foundation – said at a time when the country is struggling to feed the masses while trying to flatten the Covid-19 curve, such organisations have to be applauded for their efforts.
‘These individuals did not need a mandate to provide care and comfort to those in need. Their sense of humanity led them to mobilise.
‘The most glaringly humanitarian crisis which faced our embattled nation was ironically not the fear of an unknown pathogen, but the desperation of our masses that would succumb to starvation if relief was not made possible,’ said Naicker.
‘While we are grateful to our president for the announcements of relief and social aid, the need for assistance is here and now and I want to pay tribute to the group of local unsung Ark heroes.
‘I contacted them in utter desperation for food parcels for a cluster of senior citizens of the Mambuka Traditional Authority under the leadership of Inkosi Mthiyane.
‘To my utter amazement, this group mobilised instantly and within hours food was made available to feed hundreds of hungry mouths.’ Naicker said.
‘Dependent on sponsorships from the private sectors and individuals, they have gone above and beyond the call of duty.’
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