Gauteng, RSA. Mobile: +27 72 356 8282. Email: meya@webmail.co.za Psalm 71:20 - "Though you have made me see troubles; many troubles and bitter troubles, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.
“21 Days of Yellow Care.” That is MTN’s slogan as they give back to the community. 21 June 2011 marked another exciting day as FTFA and MTN planted 500 trees in Cosmo City, Gauteng. The day was celebrated in style as FTFA’s Community Foresters led groups of volunteers in greening of Cosmo City.
I want to send my special thanks to my team: Waren Tanner - Ellis; Jackie; Cindy Dutton; Liezel Herman and Nomsa. Guys, you made my day. You made me realise that sisters and brothers are everywhere.
This was a “Happy Group”. We burst into shosholoza song, danced and cracked jokes. We shared smiles, and we named all our trees in our honour. Bigup group!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you I first met on facebook/online and you are now making a difference in our communities. I dedicate this blog to all these young men and women who have shown commitment to community service especially in serving the kids who live in difficult conditions. I am touched by the love you have shown for these children. Visit: http://love-a-child.blogspot.com
I also dedicated this blog to my sister, Rev. Valerie Toney Parker of Chicago in the USA and the team of the youth she came with to South Africa to serve in the orphanage, the Malerato Centre of Hope in Mamelodi. That was in January, 01, 2011. She also contributed financially to the painting of the orphanage.
I cannot forget my friend, Pastor Roderick Belin who embraced the launch of the Benjamin Dube Children’s Foundation in September 2010. He is coming back to South Africa in Septmber 2011, and is raising funds to assist the kids in the Squatter Camp.
Ipeleng Moshe
I met Ipeleng Moshe for the first time on 18 July 2010. She drove all the way from SOWETO to Silahliwe Squatter Camp just to serve for 67 minutes as part of the Mandela Day’s annual celebration. She has responded to the invite from facebook. She brought clothes and food parcels for the kids. She chose a kid by the name of Nobovu whom she spent time with. She helped clean the house; she played, sang and danced with the kids. “This is the most wonderful thing I have ever done in my life – I would love to do this so often.” Said Ipeleng. Today she is a member of the Soweto Gospel Choir, and she will continue to represent kids as a One Child Matters – Mercy Ambassador.
Ipeleng Nyakong
I also met Ipeleng Nyakong for the first time on 18 July 2010. She took a long drive from Sandton to Silahliwe Squatter Camp in Meyerton. She was responding to a facebook invite. She bought clothes for the child of her choice, Mathapelo. Mathapelo is an orphan who lives with her grandmother. Her parents passed away and they depend on the government’s monthly grant. Ipeleng spent some quality time (67 minutes) with Mathapelo. “When I grow up I would like to drive a car like the one sister Ipeleng is driving” Said little Mathapelo.
Precious Sakhile Zamisa
On the same day we received yet another special friend who responded to the facebook invitation. She bought clothes for at least 8 children. She washed dishes, washed clothes for the child for the child of her choice, Refhiwe. She cleaned the house and spent time with the family.
Tshepo Mahlangu
I have not yet met this gentleman, but he also repsonded to the Nelson Mandela Day – 2010 invite. He is a facebook friend to my wife, Precious Busisiwe Mahlangu. He bought clothes for a child of his choice, Paulina and sent them by post. These clothes were presented to Paulina by Precious on 18 July 2010.
Tshepo Othaniel
This is yet another Tshepo, a friend to my wife Precious. He also responded to the invite on facebook. He bought toys for the children of his choice Nthathi Mokoena and Phindile Msimango. He managed to spend some 67 minutes with the two kids. He drove all the way from Limpompo just to serve at the Squatter Camp.
Nkanteko Shabangu
Nkateko Shabangu lives in Mamelodi East not far from the Malerato Centre of Hope. This is one centre we have been working with as One Child Matters. I linked Nkateko via facebook to the young man, Bongani Kakgiso Msiza who have been assisting in that orphanage for a long time. Since then, Nkateko has been an engine behind many activities taking place in that centre. Together with Bongani, they are doing a remarkable job. I met Nkateko for the first time on 01 January 2011 in the same orphanage.
Monica Ncongwane
Monica Ncongwane lives in Pretoria CBD. She has been following the Benjamin Dube Children Foundation activities on facebook. She quickly responded to the needs of children as published on facebook. She bought clothes for a child in Silahliwe Squatter camp, and joined the team of caregivers as they painted the orphanage walls on 12 February 2011. Kwekwe Stishi is the priviledge child to have received the clothes bought by Monica.
Lebohang Modisakeng
Lebohang also responded to messages on facebook and she had that burning desire to help a child. She bought clothes for a child of her choice, Bongani Makhanda in December 2010. She met with my wife sometimes towards the end of 2010. She expressed her love for the kids and how she is connected to Bonngani.
Ipeleng Ingrid Desiree Mokgadinyane
I met Ipeleng at the Malerato Centre of Hope on 12 February 2011 for the first time. I first met her on facebook as she responded to the messages of goodwill. I then linked her to Bongani Kakgiso Msiza who is in the forefront of running the Malerato Centre of Hope. She then invited friends and families to celebrate Christmas with children in that orphanage. Since then, Ipeleng has been working closely with Bongani and Nkateko.
Zanele Charity Thwala
Zanele is my latest friend to have responded to facebook invitation. She joined us on 04 June 2011 as we distributed food parcels and blankets to children donated by Foodbank and by the Wagner family respectively. She spent half of the day dishing food parcels and taking pictures with the kids. It was the first day I came face to face with Zanele. All along we have been communicating via facebook.
In conclusion, I also would like to thank Foodbank SA for the food parcels they donate on monthly basis; and a bigup to some of the friends I have met on the spot of service; Nikiwe Magwaza, Palesa Makua, Sophie Libisi and many, many friends who are not listed on this blog. And a big thanks to Bongane Msiza for being a good leader. Thanks to Lisa Ekman of Puppet Ministry and, to Mr and Mrs Verena Wagner. I will never forget the support from my beautiful wife Precious Busisiwe Mahlangu. I love you all!!!
You have what it takes as a young person. Celebrate your achievements; and never allow anyone to stop you from reaching your goal. Remember; you need to start small and use the available resources. Anything/Everything is possible. Praise yourself and don’t wait for someone else to praise you. Turn to yourself and say, “well done!” What you initiate might worth/mean nothing to the next person, but of most importance to you.
That’s what I am doing in my small world; a world full of disappointments. Today, I am about to realise a dream I had when I came to Food & Trees for Africa (www.trees.co.za) . Seeing FTFA working across the boarders of South Africa will be one great achievement. In Mozambique we have Khulisa Crime Initiative (www.khulisaservices.co.za) negotiating its way into that country. I initiated negotiations with the government of this country to have Khulisa working in Mozambique. Presentations were done in the Department of prisons and within the main prison in Maputo.
I have written books; best seller book in Mozambique in 2003 “The Life & Walks of Dr. Jose C. Massinga”. This was the first biography of our politicians to be written in English in the country. I am now writting my 5th book, Green Revolution. This book will be launched in style, and no one will stop me.
It’s not always easy to push your passion because not everyone understands what you want to achieve. I will share my challenges and disappointments as I try by all means to implement such inititives in the next issue.
NB: What I mentioned are just few initiatives I implemented out of many I’m working on.
(Singing around the tree dedicated to Mama Albertina Sisulu)
5June is the World Environment Day and it is celebrated annually. FTFA and Investec celebrated this day at Tsarogaphoka Primary School. This event was graced by the Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Derek Hanekom and his wife Dr Hanekom; the Ward Counsellor Ms M Khoza; the School Governing Body; the School Principal, Mr Kekana; Deputy Principal, Ms J Mhlongo; the Educators; the community leader Portia Lesego; Sam Mhlungu, FTFA’s origin and Solomon Mondlane, FTFA’s Community Forester.
The event started with the singing of the National Anthem, and a moment of silence was observed in memory of the late Mama Nontsikelelo Albertina Sisulu. The country’s flag was flying at half within the centre of the school in honour of South Africa’s freedom fighter.
The Programme Director, Ms Sylvia Mothiba opened the day’s event by welcoming everyone who was presesent. “Today we are here to celebrate God’s creation on this magnificent World Environment Day.” Said Ms Mothiba.
She then introduced the School Principal, Mr. Kekana. “Today is a great day as we celebrate with the world this special day; the World Environment Day.” Said Mr. Kekana. “We are so priviledged that FTFA and Investec chose our school, Tsarogaphoka Primary School to celebrate this day with.” He continued.
Mr. Kekana introduced all the guests. The next speaker was Sam Mhlungu. “I worked for Trees for Africa 17 years ago, and I was involved in planting trees that I’m proud of today as I see them growing in our communities.” Said Sam Mhlungu. He applauded Portia for organising such an event.
The next speaker was the Ward Counsellor Ms M Khoza. She was so thankful to be part of the event, and she applauded the Deputy Minister for gracing the event. “We are happy to have the Deputy Minister stepping in our school grounds today. We hope for many developments in our area after this small tree planting event.” Said Ms Khoza.
(Solomon and Minister Derek Hanekom)
The next speaker was Minister Derek Hanekom. He was so thankful to Sam Mhlugu and his team for inviting him to this event. “It’s a great day for me; a great day because I’m seeing you blossoming; I’m seeing you as all of the young trees; the trees that make this world of ours a beautiful world.” Said Minister Hanekom in his speech addressing hundreds of Learners and Educators.
“The village elders met under the trees and they made important decisions. There were no clinics, no hospitals, but people were treated with medicine from the trees. And people understood how important trees were.” He continued.
“Today, we understand that the air that we breath; without trees we would die. If the trees die, we die with the trees. So trees are very important.” Added the Deputy Minister.
“So today as we plant a few trees, you are learning by doing. You don’t want to just think that one day you will change the world but you have to know that you are starting to change the world today. In our little way; you in your little way, you can change the world.” Emphasized the Deputy Minister.
“We can do it. The American president said, ‘Yes we can!’ Yes we can. It doesn’t only start with us, but it starts with us, and it starts with you. Let’s make this tree planting ceremony a day to remember.” He said.
In clossing, the Deputy Minister said “A tree will live longer than you and me. So help take care of it.”
The Deputy Minister promised that his wife will donate a band drum for music; and they will improve the sport field by planting green grass and making food gardens.
The Deputy Principal Ms Mhlongo in closing thanked the Deputy Minister, the parents, FTFA, Portia, Sam Mhlungu and the Learners for making this day so special.
(Tree Planting Demonstration)
Solomon Mondlane did the tree planting demostration; and the first tree to be planted was in honour of the late Mama Nontsikelelo Albertina Sisulu. All the guests were involved in planting of this great tree. Solomon Mondlane vibrantly led the people into a remix of a national anthem song and danced around the special tree. The Deputy Minister joined in; the Ward Counsellor followed; the head of the school, the parents and the learners all danced around the mama Sisulu tree.
Solomon also thanked the sponsor, Investec for donating the trees to the school. “Without Investec this event could not have been possible.” He said.
(Solomon Mondlane and DJ Fresh)
DJ Fresh came very late but managed to meet the Deputy Minister on his way out; and also managed to see some few Learners who were still at the school premises and the Educators. He also planted a tree that was named after him.
