TTI doles out 1 000 food hampers to Byo households

Jane Nkiwane

1000 vulnerable members of the Bulawayo community were treated to an early Christmas on Friday as they received food hampers from the annual Mayor’s Cheer Fund sponsored by Tendy Three Investment (TTI) a traffic management company in the city. 

The beneficiaries who included the elderly, PWDs and children from child-headed families were identified by the Bulawayo Social Welfare Office. 

1000 food hampers were distributed in batches of 100 in different wards. 10 of the city’s wards which received the donation included wards in Lobengula, Mzilikazi, Entumbane, Emakhandeni, Luveve, Magwegwe, Pumula, Mpopoma, Tshabalala, Nkulumane and Bulawayo Central. 

Speaking at the occasion, TTI Managing Director Lizwe Mabuza said the donations were part of the company’s corporate social responsibility duties which it has consistently pursued for the past four years. 

“Each beneficiary received a package of 10kg maize meal, 2kg Beans, 2 Litre Cooking Oil, 2kg Sugar, 2kg Rice,2kg flour, 2kg Salt, 1kg chunks and a loaf of bread,” he said.

Mabuza highlighted that this kind gesture was made possible through revenue collected from motorists in the city. 

“We would like to thank motorists in Bulawayo as the funds for this donation was raised mainly from the company’s operations in this city. This is our fourth year donating to the community, we started assisting the community way before we started our operations. We have the community at heart. So far, this company has employed more than 300 youths from Bulawayo and we intend to employ more as the company grows,” he said. 

During his speech, Deputy Mayor, councillor Edwin Ndlovu who was representing the Bulawayo City Mayor Cllr David Coltart, said the main aim of the program was to cheer up vulnerable community members during Christmas time. 

“Partnering with various organisations and individuals, the mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund receives collections and donations in cash and kind which are distributed to charity institutions and vulnerable community members through the city’s social welfare offices. Christmas time is a time of giving and the main aim of the cheer fund is to change people’s lives on Christmas Day through gifts such as these,” he said.

The Deputy Mayor Cllr Ndlovu highlighted that the ballooning number of people in need of assistance over the years is reflective of the need in the community. 

“This calls on all of us as Bulawayo residents to play our part in assisting community members. This Corporate Social Responsibility will go a long way in bringing a smile to a thousand families this Christmas.”

Among the beneficiaries was Mr Farirai Sibanda from ward 8 who expressed joy and gratitude for receiving the early Christmas treat. He said, “I am really thankful for the food hamper and my Christmas will be better than the previous year as this will go a long way in helping me and my family.”

Another beneficiary from ward 1, Mrs Anne Kachogororo, showed appreciation for the food hamper she had just received saying, “I am very happy to receive this gift, today me and my grandchildren will sleep on a full stomach. May they continue extending their kindness to all vulnerable community members here in Bulawayo.” 

Last year, TTI donated hampers to 500 families worth US $12 000 during the Christmas period. This year they upscaled their donations and managed to assist 1000 families with groceries worth over US$23 000 and plans are underway to make it a bi-annual project.