Sea Robbers' to quench children's thirst'

Times: The Charity Cup is back, what’s your take on it based on its course to help the underprivileged?

Mandla: The Charity Cup has over the years made a significant difference in the lives of people, particularly children in difficult circumstances. In the programme areas where World Vision operates, there have been significant milestones such as establishment of income generating projects, development of relevant infrastructure which have proved sustainable and dependable. Children at one of our projects at Mkhondvo, for instance, have benefitted through a poultry project, among others. Such an initiative has ensured that the poor do not just watch life pass by, but that they meaningfully participate in the development of their lives, even as children.

Times: What impact has your organisation seen since the SPTC initiative started?

Mandla: World Vision has been able to scale up development projects benefitting children and in some cases start fresh initiatives through the funding from SPTC Charity Cup. Much as we may seem to be a huge organisation; like other entities, often we run out of adequate resources to leverage the poor in the communities we work in. We are overwhelmed by the immediate and strategic needs of the people on the ground. These needs, once met generally, have a potential to take the individuals to the next level of their lives. At Matsanjeni for instance, we have a group of community volunteers known as Community Care Coalitions (CCC). These are made up of Community Police, Rural Health Motivators, Home Based Caregivers, Child Protection Committees (Lihlombe Lekukhalela) to mention but a few. Through the support of the Charity Cup, they have been assisted to scale up their vegetable gardens which benefit children in Neighbourhood Care Points (NCPs). And NCPs are not just feeding centres; they are centres of informal learning and socialisation for the children who are without one or both parents.

Times: How many projects is your organisation handling and get support from the Charity Cup?

Mandla: Would literally need to use both hands and my feet for a count. The projects are too many for enumeration. Some are entirely funded by SPTC while in others; World Vision supplements what SPTC avails so that a meaningful and sustainable project can be established to benefit the broader community.

Times: This weekend, Moneni Pirates will be working in your project which is bringing water to the underprivileged. Can you describe the project in detail and the amount of people it is expected to benefit?

Mandla: This weekend, Moneni Pirates will be working on the piping system for a water project at Tjebovu community under Velezizweni Umphakatsi. The water project will benefit 400 children who go to Tjebovu Primary school and the teachers. Pipes will be fitted to channel water from a borehole to reservoirs. Then the school would have potable water readily accessible.

Times: Would you say the SPTC initiative has made any difference in the country’s poverty fight?

Mandla: At least in the community where we work in as World Vision I can say, without hesitation that there has been a drastic improvement. There is a resounding sense of enlightenment in the way of life and living – in how people can initiate projects from which they can look after their children. As well, the Charity Cup creates a sense of renewed fellowship and friendship since communities come not just to work together but also to meet their favourite teams and players. It creates such a joyous moment for communities – something that cannot be bought in a local supermarket.

Times: Lastly, can you urge the public and soccer followers to vote for the teams and charity?

Mandla: Without question. I would kindly request the people of this beautiful kingdom to invest their resources in the life-changing initiative by SPTC through votes. The results for their votes will not come around in years to come, but in barely 12 months. I would close by saying the things we let happen for others, God makes it happen for us.

Times: Thank you for your time.

Mandla: It’s my pleasue.