MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Help Us Help Others

By

Community Collaborates With The Izizwe Project To Support Walmer Township

https://youtu.be/D2qZIPMaLKs

Watch the video to hear Fiks Mahola declare his lifestyle choice – pretty much aligned to mine so big ups Fiks!

On Tuesday, 7 April 2020, Izizwe Projects launched an emergency relief fund to aid families in Port Elizabeth’s Walmer Township. The NPC, based in Walmer Township, and the surrounding community have become a close-knit family over the 12 years it has been working together. To that end, the emergency relief fund will aid families in dire need of assistance due to the lack of income brought on by the COVID-19 health crisis.

The “Help Us Help Others” social media campaign aims to assist those who are unable to earn an income in this time, live in dire conditions and are in immediate need of food and essential items. Individuals are challenged to donate R100.00 and to pledge to get four of their friends to do the same and pay it forward. Financial constraints are inevitable during this time of crisis and the campaign petitions those who would like to make a difference to do so by supporting a family with a small and affordable donation. The primary goal is to raise enough funds to help 80 families for three months with an income of R800 per month, so a total of R2400.

“We are currently working with and extending our support to multiple reputable organizations in Port Elizabeth like Missionvale Care Centre, Masifunde and Ithemba Special Care Centre where together, we identify those who are truly struggling and donate funds directly to them. This reduces the need for direct contact and there is no need for food parcels or soup kitchens but allows elderly, vulnerable families and individuals to purchase items as they need most” says  Mr. Martijn van der Put, co-founder and director of Izizwe Projects.

Prominent Port Elizabeth individuals and businesspeople are being approached to collaborate by sharing their time, expertise and networks to aid the campaign. Fiks Mahola, a well-known actor, TV presenter and local respected businessman generously came on board to assist. Better known for his role as “Simphiwe” in 7de Laan, Fiks was essential in conveying our message in a humorous way.

Tolbos Communications joined forces with Rustic Nova Marketing and Communications, Yo! Media, Freelance Studios, Key Media & Marketing and The IT Lounge to create the video, graphics and online platforms to broaden the reach of the campaign whilst Go With Khaya Travel Experiences and various past Izizwe volunteers assisted with research.

“We are overjoyed and extremely grateful to the creative community in Port Elizabeth who was willing to join hearts and hands to support this initiative,” says Sarina Engelbrecht from Tolbos Communications.

Izizwe, meaning “nations”, strives to build this nation with the help of local as well as international volunteers. The Fund offers individuals the opportunity to offer a helping hand to those in need and be part of nation building. Now is the time for embracing and living the spirit of Ubuntu (“I am who I am because of others”) and to assist fellow South Africans in need.

Willing participants and contributors are encouraged to donate via the Go Get Funding platform and to share the social media campaign with family and friends. Businesses who would like to get in involved can contact Celia Pienaar, the Izizwe Projects Manager on 081 491 8712. Businesses and private citizens are challenged to share the Social Media Campaign on their respective social media platforms. Izizwe Projects can be reached on Facebook and Instagram @izizweprojects.

To support this initiative, visit: https://gogetfunding.com/izizwe-projects-emergency-fund/

Fiks Mahola
Fiks Mahola
The following two tabs change content below.
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy Google+ profileMy LinkedIn profileMy Flickr profileMy Pinterest profile

Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.