SHAYANDIMA – More than 70 families and 30 high school learners from villages around Limpopo survive through the generosity of a local businessman who provides them with food, clothing and finance for school funds.

Mr Tshililo Isaac Dagada (52) of Shayandima, near Thohoyandou, owns several businesses in Thohoyandou, Makhado and Malamulele, which includes Kanana Bread, Chicken Place and several restaurants. Dagada said he started a feeding scheme and learner-financing project after realising that the local poverty-stricken families were suffering and had no one to turn to. For the past five years, he has also offered scholarships to more than 10 needy students at the University of Venda.

“As a businessman, I believe it is my duty to plough back into the community the little that I have. My feeding scheme is based on the love of God. I have to care for the poor,” Dagada told Mirror.

The good Samaritan is also known for sponsoring poor bereaved families with burial costs and food for the whole week until the day of the funeral. He has also donated food parcels and cash for several schools around the province.

“Though I have a wife and four kids to look after, I feel it is my responsibility to extend my love to other community members who, at times, go to bed with empty stomachs. I know what suffering is all about because I grew up under difficult conditions and I want to improve the standard of life within my community.”

Apart from maintaining the 71 families and 30 high school learners, Dagada is also a custodian of 15 kids who live in his yard, whom he also provides with food, clothing and medical care. He has for years been waging war against poverty by providing more than 300 villagers with jobs in his businesses.

Comfort Leshiba (27), a reformed drug addict, who has been staying with Dagada for the past two years told Mirror: “Before meeting Mr Dagada, my life was shattered and I thought my future was doomed. I only thought about drugs and booze until I met this man who changed my life drastically. He offered me a job in his businesses and taught me to live a clean life; hence I’m going to wed on 18 September. Though he is not my relative, Mr Dagada played a major role in my life and I don’t know how to thank him.”

Another young man, who has been under Dagada’s care since 2003, Thilivhali Nemalamangwa (21) said: “I used to break into people’s houses and steal money and other items. My parents were fed up with me and they did not want to see me again. Then I met Mr Dagada, who changed my life completely. Today, I’m a born-again Christian because he has taught me to respect God and I keep myself busy by working at his businesses.”

For the past five years, Dagada has been instrumental in community development by sponsoring different projects, including the annual Kanana Bread / Phalaphala FM Eisteddfod and SAPS crime awareness campaigns.