DELMAS – The Ethiopian community located at Mandela and Lekalakala Street in Delmas made a heartfelt contribution on January 10, 2025 to support local learners in need.
The community came together to donate essential school items to 20 underprivileged learners. This included uniforms, shoes, and stationery, aiming to ease the burden on families struggling to afford back-to-school essentials at the start of the academic year.
Woreda Jenna Guye, a member of the Ethiopian community, emphasised the importance of supporting vulnerable members of the community.
“We’re here to assist those in need with school uniforms, as many families struggle to afford these essentials during the back-to-school season. As members of the same community, we feel a sense of responsibility to help one another. We’re not just providing material support, but also showing solidarity and appreciation for the relationships we’ve built here,” he said.
Parents of the beneficiaries expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Ethiopian community for the kindness displayed.
“This donation is a godsend,” said one parent, Zanele Mphuthi. “We were struggling to make ends meet, and the cost of school uniforms and stationery was a significant burden. This donation will make a huge difference in the lives of our children.”
Although the community’s efforts have brought hope and relief to struggling families, some residents viewed the gesture with suspicion, linking it to past controversies. Recent incidents of food poisoning, which affected several residents including children, have left tensions high in the area.
“We see what they are trying to do—buy our sympathy,” said a local resident who chose to remain anonymous. “We still maintain that our local people need to occupy these spaza shops, period.”
Sipho Maseko echoed similar sentiments, alleging that the Ethiopian community was attempting to appease their guilt.
“This is very unusual and raises questions. Why now?” asked Maseko. “We cannot be bought by some donations just because we are poor. They must do the right thing, which is to stop operating after selling us and our children expired food.”
