In a sustainable approach to gift-giving this festive season, Linhleko Projects’ year-end CSI initiative has gone beyond the needs of people today, and has set them up for an abundant 2022. The mineral processing and steel fabrication company, based in the North-West Province of South Africa, partnered with their IT service providers ITSM Activated, as well as Mogro Lodge and ‘U Can Grow’ to gift the elderly and the youth of Rustenburg on 16 December.
Through the partnership, beneficiaries received food parcels and toiletries to see them through the festive season, but it did not end there. “We also provided seeds and gardening packages, with each package having the potential to feed a family of four for a year,” explains Linhleko Projects’ CEO Buang Moloto. “We made sure to include something for every season, tackling hunger for this community throughout 2022.”
Taking it further, Buang reports that Linhleko will return to the community early next year and provide further assistance with the community gardening initiative. “Those individuals who show promise with flourishing vegetable gardens will be given further seeds to enable them to expand their gardening from subsistence to commercial. In this way, we are tackling hunger and poverty simply through equipping a community to grow plants,” says Moloto.
The beneficiary – Bambanani Service Club – is a non-profit organisation run by some of the community elders, who meet regularly to tackle issues facing their community. Linhleko worked with this company to create a heart-warming handover event at the Tlhabane Community Hall which was enjoyed by all. The event was officially opened with a prayer by Bishop Khumalo who thanked Linhleko Projects for yet another kind gesture.
Moloto addressed attendees, and urged senior citizens to guide the youth so they become successful in their endeavours and get away from activities that have a negative bearing on their lives. He also emphasised the need for young people to gain self-confidence which is vital for prosperity. “Linhleko Projects together with stakeholders is forming a socio-economic movement for self-upliftment. We don’t want our children to suffer from the scourge of unemployment, we want to share our knowledge of self-development,” he said.
Closing the event, Bambanani Service Club’s Sasa Pilane thanked Linhleko for helping care for their community. Health and social wellbeing are at the core of the NPO’s mandate, and the offering from Linhleko and their partners will go a long way towards improving these aspects.