RICHLINE DONATES
150 + BLANKETS TO THOSE IN NEED
July, one of the coldest winter months, is also Nelson Mandela Month in South Africa. Between the 1st and 31st July, citizens are encouraged to give to those in need – be it their time or essential items. This July, Richline South Africa hosted a blanket drive for their eighth consecutive year. “Richline SA have started a blanket drive… to showcase our commitment to the less fortunate during the winter months,” said Johan Bezuidenhout, Managing Director at Richline SA.
The first drive was held on 5 July 2024, where the Richline team, along with others from the jewellery industry who were interested in taking part, spent the morning at Orange Farm Free Worship Ministries where they met with Pastor Patrick Mashimbye to hand out blankets and foodstuffs to the community. Overall, 100 blankets were donated.
After the rewarding day of giving, Pastor Mashimbye shared an encouraging message to Bezuidenhout that was sent to him on behalf of the congregation who received or were able to give out to community members in need. “We would like to say thank to you my pastor and Richline and your family as well, may God continue blessing you and your family and Richline. The contributions of blankets and foodstuffs from your company and others did us well as Free Worship Ministry to the community, big thanks my pastor. I’ve got many things to say but through writing is difficult to say but through all siyabonga kakhulu (thank you very much) my pastor, thank you.”
The second blanket drive took place on 12 July 2024 and entailed Richline staff, again joined by those who wished to take part, handing out 50 blankets and some foodstuffs at Tumelo Home for the mentally handicapped. Tumelo, which means ‘faith’, is located in Thembisa and was established as an NPO in 1996 by Dr Moses Thindisa and his wife, Orina Thindisa. Today, Tumelo Home is run by Reverend Solly Khuthama and his remarkable team of caretakers.
Its headquarters were first in Ivory Park in Midrand and a second home was opened in President Park for the children who were in the
home into adulthood, as the Home becomes their home for life.
Tumelo Home provides daycare and residential care for severely mentally and physically disabled children and accommodates 70 children to adults. From starting in a tin shack, it has turned into a 24-hour operational centre. Sadly, many parents drop their child for daycare and do not return to collect them or give false contact or residential details, leaving these children abandoned and orphaned.
The caretakers at Tumelo Home take it upon themselves to raise and care for the abandoned children by bathing, feeding, clothing and educating them daily. Most of these children come from povertystricken or abusive homes.
Although helped by government grants, the living needs of the residents of the Home are extensive. Therefore, public consideration and donations of any sort including funds, building materials, clothing, food, toiletries, medical supplies and volunteers on open days are highly appreciated by Tumelo Home.
Richline SA is pleased to have had a part to play in assisting both Orange Farm Free Worship Ministries and Tumelo Home with blankets and foodstuffs. Bezuidenhout says, “We are very grateful towards those individuals who contributed foodstuffs for this initiative.”
