THOHOYANDOU - A good Samaritan, who has been donating clothes and food to the disabled and needy people of Zimbabwe, has urged other community members to help South Africa's troubled African neighbour.

Nyawadzulesa Granny Mphathele (45) of Block A, known as the white area, has been collecting clothes and food parcels for the Zimbabweans, the disabled and needy ones since 1996, after she was touched by their conditions during her visit with other church members from the United Apostolic Church.

Mphathele, devoted Christian, who also works as an artisan at the Department of Public Works, said she was first touched by the conditions and situation most of the Zimbabwean are living in and from that day she felt she had to do something for them.

Since that day, she has been collecting old and used clothes from colleagues at work and neighbours. The good thing is that she always finds people very positive in helping her in the mission. "Others tell me they have clothes that they have not used for a long time and they give me with open hearts," she said.

Mphathele said every year she goes to Zimbabwe, using the bakkie of Archbishop Elias Miriri, to deliver a full load of clothes. She has donated the clothes to the areas of Maranda, Khwekhwe, Mberengwana, Zezani and Chanyangwa. The branches of the United Apostolic Church in Zimbabwe help her to get hold of the needy people.

Her last delivery was about three weeks ago, when she donated clothes and food parcels to Guthu, where Pastor Simon Dabureni is running the new branch of the church.

Mphathele said the reason why she started with the project, was that a woman called Tiro first challenged her. "This woman, Mberengwa, made me cry when I first saw her in 1996. I do not only help Zimbabweans, but I also help South Africans. I think there are many people who can help. As our church has branches from Cape to Cairo, I urge them to help wherever it is needed. The needy people are many and they are in dire need of our help, no matter how small it might be. Many people have a lot of clothes that they do not use. It is advisable to give these clothes to the needy people," she said.

However, Mphathele was quick to point out that she is not helping people because she is rich, but she said she thinks it would be wise to help needy people when help is needed. She also stressed that she will be helping needy people until she dies. Mphathele, a single mother of four children, has given instructions that all her clothes should be given to the needy people when she dies.

Anyone who wants to donate clothes can visit Mphathele at her home in Block A, House VT 807.