In the aftermath of a devastating fire that destroyed a minimum of 201 shacks and left 681 people displaced in Enkanini informal settlement, Ward 86 councillor Xolani Diniso opted to put some smiles on the faces of some of the children by organising a beach outing.
Over 50 children went on a trip to Bloubergstrand Beach on Sunday 27 April, in what Diniso described as part of Freedom Day celebration.
The outing gave the children an opportunity to cool down and switch off after the fire on Tuesday 15 April (“Donations pouring in for shack fire victims in Lwandle”, City Vision, 24 April).
“The aim was to entertain them and to make them forget about their sorrows. These are innocent children who were supposed to be happy, but they now find themselves in this predicament. So, I decided to spend time with them on Freedom Day to show them love,” said Diniso.
He stated that he has a soft spot for children citing that they are always closer to his heart.
“These are our future leaders. We need to groom them nicely to become good leaders. Some of them are raised by a single parent and they don’t have a father figure.
“As community leaders, it is our role to fill that gap. We (old men) mustn’t abuse them and take advantage because they don’t have fathers,” he said, adding that they are saying no to sugar daddies.
Parent Sinazo Gobingca said she took her hat off for Diniso. She said what he did was exceptional.
“What he did means a lot to us as parents and our children as well. He made them forget that they left with nothing.
“Some of the parents during the holidays used to cook special food or take them out, but because of the shack fire incident we couldn’t do that as we are trying to make ends meet,” said Gobingca. She said all they need now is building material to rebuild their shacks.
Gobingca stated that they received clothes donated by various people while other organisations donated blankets and mattresses.
