More than 3000 children from impoverished communities around the Buffalo City Metro (BCM) were treated to early Christmas gifts yesterday, courtesy of the multi-billionaire Patrice Motsepe’s foundation toy run.The annual Motsepe toy run brought joy to their world and left smiles on the faces of children from urban areas such as Southernwood, rural areas such Ndevana and townships including Duncan Village.
The children, who were identified by their ward councillors, came out in numbers to receive gifts.
An entourage of vehicles bearing gifts and fruit packs were formed and drove in different directions to distribute the goodies and refreshments to 30 identified venues around the city.
The toys consisted of kitchen tea-sets, cars, balls, dolls and hula hoops.
Yolisa Jezile, from BCM deputy mayor Xola Pakati’s office who facilitated one of the convoys, said this year’s distribution strategy was done differently from previous years to ensure that targets were met.
“Instead of having one convoy distributing gifts, we formed four groups to ensure we get to all the distribution points on time and, so far, everything is running smoothly,” he said.
Jezile added that mayor Alfred Mtsi and the deputy mayor could not lead the toy run as in previous years because they had to attend an event to close off the 16 days of activism against women and child abuse.
Buffalo City ward councillor Landile Vika from Mdantsane said the more than 100 children who received gifts in his ward will enjoy the gifts. Lillian Fourie from Southernwood, who brought her five children to the Salvation Army to get gifts, said this was the first Christmas gifts for her children. “As an unemployed parent, buying things to play with was just impossible.
“I am grateful to Motsepe,” she said. According to the distribution route map provided by BCM, 3050 gifts were distributed on the day.
Gifts bring Christmas cheer to poor kids
The annual Motsepe toy run brought joy to their world and left smiles on the faces of children from urban areas such as Southernwood, rural areas such Ndevana and townships including Duncan Village.
The children, who were identified by their ward councillors, came out in numbers to receive gifts.
An entourage of vehicles bearing gifts and fruit packs were formed and drove in different directions to distribute the goodies and refreshments to 30 identified venues around the city.
The toys consisted of kitchen tea-sets, cars, balls, dolls and hula hoops.
Yolisa Jezile, from BCM deputy mayor Xola Pakati’s office who facilitated one of the convoys, said this year’s distribution strategy was done differently from previous years to ensure that targets were met.
“Instead of having one convoy distributing gifts, we formed four groups to ensure we get to all the distribution points on time and, so far, everything is running smoothly,” he said.
Jezile added that mayor Alfred Mtsi and the deputy mayor could not lead the toy run as in previous years because they had to attend an event to close off the 16 days of activism against women and child abuse.
Buffalo City ward councillor Landile Vika from Mdantsane said the more than 100 children who received gifts in his ward will enjoy the gifts. Lillian Fourie from Southernwood, who brought her five children to the Salvation Army to get gifts, said this was the first Christmas gifts for her children. “As an unemployed parent, buying things to play with was just impossible.
“I am grateful to Motsepe,” she said. According to the distribution route map provided by BCM, 3050 gifts were distributed on the day.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos