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South African donates food to 250 families in Mbembesi
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On Tuesday, 250 families in Mbembesi received much-needed food parcels from the Mkiva Humanitarian Foundation, led by its president, Zolani Mkiva, a prominent member of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA). The donation took place at the homestead of Chief Ndondo and forms part of a broader humanitarian effort supporting vulnerable communities across Africa amid growing economic challenges.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mkiva explained that the initiative aimed to provide short-term relief to families facing economic hardship. “We came to assist the contingent families by providing groceries with the aim of supporting families. This is a short-term intervention that we want to do as the Mkiva Humanitarian Foundation,” he said.
Each food parcel contained essential items such as two 10kg bags of mealie meal, 5kg of rice, 2kg of sugar, two litres of cooking oil, a packet of salt, and soya chunks. The groceries were sourced locally as part of a R1 million fund allocated for efforts in both Zimbabwe and Uganda, where the foundation is undertaking similar projects in the Toro Kingdom.
While acknowledging the importance of immediate aid, Mkiva emphasized the foundation's long-term vision of sustainable development. “We want to come up with an approach which is also sustainable, assisting families to produce and eat their own food, which is the best formula under the circumstances,” he said.
The programme is carried out in partnership with local traditional leaders to ensure community involvement and transparency. “This is community-driven, done in conjunction with traditional leadership. That's why we are doing this at Chief Ndondo's homestead, working with Xhosa Prince Mcleod Isolengwe Tshawe and other traditional leaders who helped us create the lists so that everyone selected benefits,” Mkiva noted.
Highlighting the spirit of ubuntu, Mkiva urged communities to work together and share resources. “This is a humanitarian charitable programme meant to say, ‘let's work together'. Those who can assist must come forward. You can't enjoy life when your neighbours are suffering,” he said.
Mkiva, originally from South Africa but with deep familial and cultural ties to Mbembesi, expressed a personal commitment to the community. “Charity begins at home. I have relatives here. I can't look away. We are related by history, blood and heritage. These are my people. I'm their person,” he said, adding that his late King Zwelonke had a profound connection to the area which he aims to honour.
The effort is inclusive of all ethnicities in the area, with Mkiva noting that “Mbembesi cannot do it alone. It's not only Xhosa-speaking people who benefit but other ethnicities as people are interrelated and intermarried. We have to work together.”
In a lighthearted moment, Mkiva joked about helping Chief Ndondo find a wife to strengthen ties between their communities. “The chief must marry so that his work goes far. If not, I'll bring him one,” he quipped, drawing laughter from attendees.
Professor Bryon Eugene Price from the United States, a board member and part of the foundation's international advisory committee, was present to help mobilize global support. Mkiva explained that Price's role is crucial in linking African diasporic resources with local initiatives, stressing the moral duty of diaspora communities to contribute to Africa's development.
Chief Ndondo expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the Mbembesi community. “This is a breakthrough from the Mkiva Foundation and stakeholders. Besides being a direct cousin and family member, he is a relative. We appreciate what he has done,” he said, highlighting the need for future self-resilience training to empower the community.
Xhosa Prince Mcleod Isolengwe Tshawe also underscored the cultural significance of the project, recalling the inspiration drawn from the late King Mpendulo Zwelonke Sigcawu, monarch of the amaXhosa nation. “This is not political, it is traditional, cultural, and rooted in human values. We are here to help the hungry and vulnerable,” he affirmed.
The Mkiva Humanitarian Foundation's intervention marks a vital step toward addressing food insecurity in Mbembesi, while fostering community solidarity and sustainable development rooted in traditional leadership and shared cultural heritage.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mkiva explained that the initiative aimed to provide short-term relief to families facing economic hardship. “We came to assist the contingent families by providing groceries with the aim of supporting families. This is a short-term intervention that we want to do as the Mkiva Humanitarian Foundation,” he said.
Each food parcel contained essential items such as two 10kg bags of mealie meal, 5kg of rice, 2kg of sugar, two litres of cooking oil, a packet of salt, and soya chunks. The groceries were sourced locally as part of a R1 million fund allocated for efforts in both Zimbabwe and Uganda, where the foundation is undertaking similar projects in the Toro Kingdom.
While acknowledging the importance of immediate aid, Mkiva emphasized the foundation's long-term vision of sustainable development. “We want to come up with an approach which is also sustainable, assisting families to produce and eat their own food, which is the best formula under the circumstances,” he said.
The programme is carried out in partnership with local traditional leaders to ensure community involvement and transparency. “This is community-driven, done in conjunction with traditional leadership. That's why we are doing this at Chief Ndondo's homestead, working with Xhosa Prince Mcleod Isolengwe Tshawe and other traditional leaders who helped us create the lists so that everyone selected benefits,” Mkiva noted.
Highlighting the spirit of ubuntu, Mkiva urged communities to work together and share resources. “This is a humanitarian charitable programme meant to say, ‘let's work together'. Those who can assist must come forward. You can't enjoy life when your neighbours are suffering,” he said.
Mkiva, originally from South Africa but with deep familial and cultural ties to Mbembesi, expressed a personal commitment to the community. “Charity begins at home. I have relatives here. I can't look away. We are related by history, blood and heritage. These are my people. I'm their person,” he said, adding that his late King Zwelonke had a profound connection to the area which he aims to honour.
The effort is inclusive of all ethnicities in the area, with Mkiva noting that “Mbembesi cannot do it alone. It's not only Xhosa-speaking people who benefit but other ethnicities as people are interrelated and intermarried. We have to work together.”
In a lighthearted moment, Mkiva joked about helping Chief Ndondo find a wife to strengthen ties between their communities. “The chief must marry so that his work goes far. If not, I'll bring him one,” he quipped, drawing laughter from attendees.
Professor Bryon Eugene Price from the United States, a board member and part of the foundation's international advisory committee, was present to help mobilize global support. Mkiva explained that Price's role is crucial in linking African diasporic resources with local initiatives, stressing the moral duty of diaspora communities to contribute to Africa's development.
Chief Ndondo expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the Mbembesi community. “This is a breakthrough from the Mkiva Foundation and stakeholders. Besides being a direct cousin and family member, he is a relative. We appreciate what he has done,” he said, highlighting the need for future self-resilience training to empower the community.
Xhosa Prince Mcleod Isolengwe Tshawe also underscored the cultural significance of the project, recalling the inspiration drawn from the late King Mpendulo Zwelonke Sigcawu, monarch of the amaXhosa nation. “This is not political, it is traditional, cultural, and rooted in human values. We are here to help the hungry and vulnerable,” he affirmed.
The Mkiva Humanitarian Foundation's intervention marks a vital step toward addressing food insecurity in Mbembesi, while fostering community solidarity and sustainable development rooted in traditional leadership and shared cultural heritage.
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