Qonce taxi owner Anele Mbambani does all he can to help people in the community where he grew up

Taxi owner Anele Mbambani, 47, from Kwalini in Qonce uses his spare time and money to uplift the community that raised him. 

Mbambani said: “If I can I help the people who helped me. I don’t want to see people struggling in the place I was born and grew up in.” 

Local Hero nominator Simo Monti, secretary of the Residents of Kwalini committee, called Mbambani “the light that is shining in this community”.

Monti said: “This gentleman has a knack for helping people in whatever way possible.” 

Mbambani was the owner of the African Winners football club, but moved away from the soccer field and into community outreach after watching too many young players fall victim to drug abuse. 

“In 2014 I said: ‘I’m done with football, I want to help the community I grew up in’.”

During the Covid-19 period, Mbambani contacted employed youth and business owners to donate to a feeding fund for Kwalini residents. 

Mbambani organised the distribution of donated food parcels to 150 households in 2020 and felt heartbroken when supplies ran out.

“I saw it wasn’t enough. I tried to engage with those working in East London and Johannesburg to help those who were left hungry.” 

Spearheading an additional drive, 75 food parcels supplemented the gap, a large fraction of the supplies paid for with his own money. 

Various acts of service make up the list of how he has helped to better his home town. 

Mbambani built a communal cattle press for farmers to safely dip, inject and care for their animals, and donated zinc and timber materials to homes with collapsed roofs. 

“I built it myself and the farmers appreciated it a lot,” he said.

“I try to give to those who are helpless.Most people depend on grant money or are not working. I see the guys trying to go to town to get jobs.” 

Donations range from covering funeral services to donating meat for functions for those who cannot afford it, and using his taxi business; free trips are often given to church functions.

“I’m doing this from my heart and feel happy to give back.” 

Difficulties arose when he started to be hassled by certain community members for assistance. 

“I try, but the problem is that when people hear of your kindness towards other people, they get jealous and come to me to fix all their problems.

“But I still see how I can help.” 

Mbambani said he had never done these acts of kindness for recognition or praise. 

“I am proud to accept the nomination, but I don’t do this to be popular.

“I like to help those less fortunate.” 

DispatchLIVE