If she is not at work, Pandora Ngantweni is caring for disadvantaged children in her community.
More than 100 children gather at her Mdantsane home every Sunday to receive a home-cooked meal.
She also provides second-hand school uniforms to those in need, either through donations or from her own pocket.
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The 41-year-old also often uses profits from her company — Qhama Cleaning Company — to fund the weekly meals.
Her organisation — Phakamani Community Services — opened its doors in 2020.
“I have seen that children in the community go to bed without food and that is one of the reasons I started this organisation,” Ngantweni said.
“Some families in the community struggle to make ends meet.
“I don’t only feed children, I source second-hand uniforms — shoes, shirts, skirts and trousers that are still in good condition.”
She identifies uniform recipients with the help of other residents.
“We aim to make a difference [by providing uniforms] so that children do not feel left out.
“I make a point of speaking to their parents so they are aware of what we want to help with,” she said.
“The difference I am making is to assure residents that they can rely on me to assist where there is a need,” Ngantweni said.
When the Daily Dispatch team visited Ngantweni at her home on Sunday, dozens of children from as young as three to teenagers were queuing up at her house with their lunch boxes to be served a meal of samp, meat and vegetables.
Helping prepare and cook the food were residents Ziphi Makhumsha, Vuyokazi Dyani, Fezile Ntsakana, Oyama Dyosi, Aviwe Mooi, Nobuntu Ntshangase and Anelisa Dyane.
Zoey Makoba, who nominated Ngantweni as a Local Hero, said: “I chose to nominate her because she has shown that she cares about children and people who are less fortunate.
“She posts on social media and speaks to other residents in the community about assisting through the donation of second-hand uniforms for those who do not have any.”
Makoba said Ngantweni had assisted families in the community on numerous occasions, citing how she had stepped in to help when people’s homes at Masibambane informal settlement burned down.
The Dispatch reported in 2021 that close to 20 families in Mdantsane were left without a roof over their heads after their shacks were destroyed by a raging fire at Masibambane informal settlement in NU1.
Makoba said: “Ngantweni collected essentials such as clothes, blankets and food to give to the fire victims.”
When asked about her decision to help the families, Ngantweni said: “I was approached by the community committee to assist the families in need.
“I engaged with other residents and they were able to donate essentials such as furniture and clothing, among other items.
“Even though Masibambane residents were affected by the tragedy, they did not lose hope that they would be able to rebuild as residents stepped in to provide support.”
DispatchLIVE
Local Hero nominee feeds more than 100 children a weekly meal
Pandora Ngantweni, 41, often uses profits from her cleaning business to buy food and uniforms for those in need
Image: THEO JEPTHA
If she is not at work, Pandora Ngantweni is caring for disadvantaged children in her community.
More than 100 children gather at her Mdantsane home every Sunday to receive a home-cooked meal.
She also provides second-hand school uniforms to those in need, either through donations or from her own pocket.
.
The 41-year-old also often uses profits from her company — Qhama Cleaning Company — to fund the weekly meals.
Her organisation — Phakamani Community Services — opened its doors in 2020.
“I have seen that children in the community go to bed without food and that is one of the reasons I started this organisation,” Ngantweni said.
“Some families in the community struggle to make ends meet.
“I don’t only feed children, I source second-hand uniforms — shoes, shirts, skirts and trousers that are still in good condition.”
She identifies uniform recipients with the help of other residents.
“We aim to make a difference [by providing uniforms] so that children do not feel left out.
“I make a point of speaking to their parents so they are aware of what we want to help with,” she said.
“The difference I am making is to assure residents that they can rely on me to assist where there is a need,” Ngantweni said.
When the Daily Dispatch team visited Ngantweni at her home on Sunday, dozens of children from as young as three to teenagers were queuing up at her house with their lunch boxes to be served a meal of samp, meat and vegetables.
Helping prepare and cook the food were residents Ziphi Makhumsha, Vuyokazi Dyani, Fezile Ntsakana, Oyama Dyosi, Aviwe Mooi, Nobuntu Ntshangase and Anelisa Dyane.
Zoey Makoba, who nominated Ngantweni as a Local Hero, said: “I chose to nominate her because she has shown that she cares about children and people who are less fortunate.
“She posts on social media and speaks to other residents in the community about assisting through the donation of second-hand uniforms for those who do not have any.”
Makoba said Ngantweni had assisted families in the community on numerous occasions, citing how she had stepped in to help when people’s homes at Masibambane informal settlement burned down.
The Dispatch reported in 2021 that close to 20 families in Mdantsane were left without a roof over their heads after their shacks were destroyed by a raging fire at Masibambane informal settlement in NU1.
Makoba said: “Ngantweni collected essentials such as clothes, blankets and food to give to the fire victims.”
When asked about her decision to help the families, Ngantweni said: “I was approached by the community committee to assist the families in need.
“I engaged with other residents and they were able to donate essentials such as furniture and clothing, among other items.
“Even though Masibambane residents were affected by the tragedy, they did not lose hope that they would be able to rebuild as residents stepped in to provide support.”
DispatchLIVE
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