The orphans of the Takalani Children’s Home received several donations during an event at the institution’s premises at Siloam last Friday.

According to the manager of the home, Mrs Mukondeleli Phaswana, the event was part of the Youth Month celebrations in Vhembe. "It was also another way of engaging the community to interact with the children of Takalani, so that they can also feel that they are part of the community".

The mayor of the Makhado Municipality, Cllr Glory Mashaba, officially handed over a cheque of R5 000 to the institution, on behalf of Reris Insurance Brokers. Takalani also received a donation of traditional drums, which they will use when performing traditional dances such as malende, tshigombela and tshifasi. Khoroni Hotel and Convention Resort handed soccer and netball kits to the orphans during the event.

Phaswana expressed her appreciation, adding that the money would help them to buy food, as they sometimes run out of food. "We really appreciate the donation. What is more exciting is that the community is also supportive. We feel very proud and honoured to see that local businesspeople and the local churches are supporting us."

The event was held in collaboration with Frank Ravele Secondary School learners, who entertained the guests with traditional malende dance, poetry and dramas.

Mayor Mashaba indicated that she was offered an opportunity to choose any institution to whom she could donate R5 000 on behalf of Reris Insurance Brokers. "I chose Takalani Children’s Home, as I felt that there was a need for me to donate the money to abandoned and orphaned children. Takalani is a non-governmental organisation and it really needs people’s support". Takalani Children’s Home was established by the Reformed Churches of the Soutpansberg area, founded in 1988, to accommodate abused and abandoned children and orphans of Vhembe.