Sixty-one indigent families were treated royally when they received clothing worth R15 000 from a good Samaritan on Sunday afternoon.

Chief Luvhaivhai Tshivhase of Matangari-Tshiawelo village, north of Thohoyandou, said he decided to make the massive donation after realizing that most of his subjects were tragic victims of poverty. The function took place at his royal kraal.

“The majority of my subjects usually go to bed on empty stomachs. Now that winter is coming, some of them can not even afford to buy warm clothes for their family members. This is one of the places where unemployment is still the order of the day. As a traditional leader, I cannot just sit and fold my arms while poverty continues to brutalize my people,” said Chief Luvhaivhai.

He encouraged other traditional leaders to follow suit and assist their subjects in their needs. “Good governance is all about caring for your subjects and meeting their needs. We are what we are because of our subjects and it is very important to assist them whenever the need arises. It is never easy to rule a person who has a lifelong problem because he will never cooperate or become productive. It is far wiser to attend to their problems first, to make sure that they are relieved of their sorrows…”

One of the beneficiaries, Sarah Ramatonga (70), said the donations came at right time because she could not afford to buy clothes for herself as she is the only breadwinner in the family.

“My old-age grant is not enough to provide for my family and this is obviously a great relief. I pass my sincere gratitude to Chief Luvhaivhai for coming to my rescue in these needy times.”