Somali shop owners partnered with local businesses in Strand to buy groceries for 400 families.
On Thursday, the groceries, worth R50 000, were delivered to people’s homes to avoid long queues.
The businessmen are from a forum called Sinobulumko which aims to bring local businesses under one umbrella and create partnerships.
The chairperson of Sinobulumko, Lucky Molosi, says they could not stand by and watch while people are suffering.
“This lockdown is affecting our people the most, they do not have anything to eat and what we are giving them is not enough,” he says.
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“More is still needed and we plead with big businesses to assist us in taking care of these families.”
Ahmed Omar, the deputy chairman of the Somali Community in Strand, adds: “I have seen how people were left frustrated when the food ends before reaching them and if we are being honest, what the government is providing is not enough.
“Not everyone will get a food parcel and as businesses, we must come in and assist.”
Molosi appealed to mense to refrain from looting foreign-owned shops.
“The Somali community is here assisting people and we must guard over their shops because they are not only making profit but ploughing back,” he says.
SANCO chairperson, Hennie Bhuqa, said: “This is wonderful, businesses giving back to the community. There are people who will complain about not getting anything, but they have done their best. R50 000 is a lot of money.”
Hennie also thanked the Methodist Church for the venue.
Article source: https://www.dailyvoice.co.za/news/shop-owners-donate-food-parcels-to-needy-families-46823693
