MAKONDE – The power of Mirror did it again for a poor fire victim whose possessions were burnt to ashes when her hut caught fire a fortnight ago.

Unknown people allegedly burnt down the 24-year-old Nditsheni Tshifura’s hut and her touching story appeared in last week’s edition. Barely three hours after the publication of the article, Thohoyandou Spar called Mirror to arrange a visit to the family. Mirror organized a visit on Monday where representatives from Spar donated groceries worth R1 500 and they also offered to replace Nditsheni’s hut at their own cost!

The Operational Manager of Thohoyandou Spar, Captain Mutangwa, said the donation is based on the retail supermarket’s mission of plowing back to the poorest of the poor.

Mutangwa told Mirror: “We were deeply touched by the report in the Mirror and we felt that we had to do something for the poor family. The fact that Nditsheni’s food was burnt to ashes and she could no longer afford to fix the hut touched us so deeply that we immediately called Mirror to arrange a visit to the family. Apart from the groceries we offered, we are also going to repair the hut because it is useless to fill somebody stomach if she does not have a shelter. It has been always our mission to assist those who cannot do anything for themselves. We have been engaging in different poverty eradication projects and we are still going to do more for the communities because they are the ones who made us what we are today…”

Groceries handed to the Tshifura family included rice, cooking oil, sugar, fresh milk packs, corn flakes, tea creamer, jungle oats, tomato sauce, maize meal, mayonnaise, toilet paper, spaghetti, canned jam, coffee, canned fish, macaroni and peanut butter.

The visibly excited Nditsheni did not have enough words to thank Spar and Mirror for the roles they played in her life. “I have never received such a big donation in my life. Although I am poor, I am now happy because I know there are people who care out there. I am also happy to learn that I will again move to my fixed hut in the next few days. Thank you Spar a thousand times. I will never forget the great job done by Mirror of speaking for the voiceless,” said Nditsheni, who survives on her grandmother Selinah’s social grant.