10 December was a jolly day for residents of Nqanqarhu Village (Maclear) as they were hosted for their first Annual Maclear All-White Picnic.
The event comes after a long drought of social and entertainment gatherings in the province, probably even nationally, and this was due to the recent pandemic of COVID-19 that the entire world has experienced in the period of 2019 to 2021.
The pandemic closed doors for many people in terms of productivity and progress, the nation faced restricted operations and limited movements, people lost lives, lost loved ones, employment and businesses shut down, resulting in frustrations, broken homes, and poverty.
But the Vuthela family, their foundation together with various stakeholders brought relief to the community of Nqanqarhu. Business people and local artists saw themselves taking part in an activity that promised to bring back hope and financial relief to them with this event.
Mr. Butho Vuthela said he was excited about the event, and it showed that people in the community were hungry for this because they came out in numbers to support the event, and others were there for the business opportunity and that made his heart very warm to see people making business that will bring relief to their finances.
“I’m happy that today people’s lives changed, people were selling which means there are making a profit. This area is known for being poor, people are struggling financially, but with this event, some went home with something on the table. We’ve managed to change the lives of some SMMEs, we’ve managed to create jobs and employment for unemployed youth”.
“We have 51 poor families that we’ve identified as the Vuthela foundation, together with various stakeholders, and we donated groceries (food packs/combos) to them, with the intention to help them enjoy the day of the Christmas like most families. Some within the 51 families, there are child headed-households, households where grandparents are looking after more than 10 grandchildren, we targeted people living with disabilities. This means that we have really done something to help, and we are happy as the foundation”, said Mr. Vuthela.
The event was packed with performances from artists all over the province, to national artists, from Cape Town, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal. Special performances from Zakwe, Bethusile Mcinga, and Duncan, to name a few.
The event organizer, Butho Vuthela in association with various stakeholders were very pleased with the attendance and people came out in numbers in support of the picnic to socialize, make business, and enjoy the event.
Bethusile Mcinga also said shared the same sentiments as that of Mr. Vuthela, and that he was happy to be part of the event, especially since it’s in the rural areas because these kinds of events have the power of changing people’s lives.
“I’m very happy to have been part of this event, which is the first of its kind here in Maclear. If you see there at the gate, there are people who put up stalls there to sell, which means they will be able to put on the table for their families, there are marshalls, security guards and car guards, and they will go home happy.”
The event was indeed a success, we will definitely see Maclear same time, same place in 2023 as this is an annual event.
ARTICLE BY SIYAKHOLWA VUSO // EDITED BY CWAYITA ZWENI