The mayor of Musina Municipality, Cllr Caroline Mahasela, handed out food parcels to 30 individuals who were victims of the recent thunderstorms and heavy winds which damaged houses and destroyed trees at Madimbo village, outside Musina. Nineteen houses were affected by the thunderstorms and some roofs were blown off.

This relief initiative is a joint effort between the Musina Local Municipality and the Vhembe District Municipality.

Mahasela also distributed four tents to the most affected families who had nowhere to lay their heads. The items handed out included beans, cooking oil, canned fish, sugar, tea bags, soup, washing and bath soap.

When addressing the recipients of the food parcels, Mahasela said that, as a political head, it was her duty to make sure that the municipality worked even better to serve the communities. “These gifts of love symbolise that we are always there for you, no matter how difficult the situation might be. We are the servants of the people and we need to display love and affection even in difficult times.”

She urged the business sector, individuals and non-governmental organisations to extend their helping hands. “Sustainable solutions can only come from government, with all civil society formations coming on board. This disaster affects each of us and we must come together to assist our people.”

One of the recipients, Nyamukamadi Rambau (62), said she was so devastated that she had no hope of going on with life. She added that she was now happy that something was being done to restore her life back to normal.