City of Joburg’s toy run brings joy to 4000 children
05 December 2017
It was all smiles as children in the City of Joburg got an early Christmas from MMC for Health and Social Development Dr Mpho Phalatse yesterday.
MMC Phalatse with officials from the Social Development Children Services Unit visited Diepsloot, Ivory Park, Marlborough and Malvern areas to hand out toys to boys and girls from Early Childhood Development Centres and non-governmental organisations that look after orphaned and vulnerable children.
Children from four regions in the City lined up to receive their colourful toys. The toys were donated by the Motsepe Foundation as part of their annual Christmas drive undertaken in different provinces. The initiative is aimed at giving out toys to children between the ages of 0 and 13.
The first stop was in Diepsloot, where about 500 kids from Early Childhood Development centres in the area sang as they waited their turn to get toy trucks, soccer balls and beauty bags full of colourful items for young girls.
In Ivory Park, the kids surrounded MMC Phalatse as they waited for her to distribute the toys. Six-year-old Sanele Mgadi , who held on to his red truck, said he will play with his friends when he gets home.
When MMC Phalatse stopped in Marlboro, she joined children in games. The MMC was joined by volunteers from the Motsepe Foundation and four of the City’s Junior Council Members namely, Banele Similane (Chairperson for Finance and Economic Development); Zanelisiwe Mahlangu (Chairperson for Gender and People with Disabilities); Kamokgelo Mokoena (Chairperson for Health) and Candince Verster (Student Assistant) all from Region F, who assisted with the distribution.
“They decided to partner with the City because they recognise the City as the custodian of social and early childhood development. We were able to help them identify those children that are in need and to help them distribute the toys today,” said MMC Phalatse.
The toy drive took place simultaneously with the other regions in Westbury and Alexandra. By the end of the day, about 4 000 children from over 200 ECD centres and NGOs across the city had received toys.
“We had a lot of fun distributing the toys. Seeing the smiles from those children’s faces made it all worthwhile. We appreciate all the help we received from NGOs, JMPD and SAPS. It’s been really a concerted effort from everyone,” said MMC Phalatse.