Once a month, the founder of the Kasi Angels Foundation, Gerald Nomlala, and volunteers wake early to prepare food for elderly grant recipients at the Nyanga Junxion mall.
Mr Nomlala, who also collects school shoes for needy pupils, said that on grant days he and the volunteers were up from 3am to cook soup, make tea and prepare sandwiches, and often when they arrived at the mall, the pensioners were already waiting in line.
“As much as social services tries to educate grant recipients that it is not necessary to withdraw their monies on the same day, some old people fear they may lose their money if not withdrawn immediately,” he said.
“I was touched when I encountered an elderly woman who had slept at the centre so that she could be first in the line. She told me she was hungry. From that moment, I decided to do something for the elderly.”
The meals are sponsored by the mall and its spokesperson Sunnel Pelser said they were grateful for the partnership with Kasi Angels Foundation.
“For many of these recipients, this meal represents their only substantial food for the day, making our contribution especially meaningful. Additionally, during the winter months, we distributed warm scarves and beanies to help them stay comfortable,” she said.
Mabhongo Mqwebedu, 82, said he looked forward to pay day because he knew he could get a warm cup of tea and soup.
“Before this man came here, we would starve whilst waiting in the line. What these children are doing is good for our health,” he said.
