Tsakani – Gugu Mdhluli (35) is on a mission to spread love to those who need it most in her community.
In April, the Basothong resident started cooking meals for a group of young men, mostly drug addicts, who loiter close to her home.
“It was my birthday, and I just decided to do something for them. Many of them had asked me for food before, so I knew it was something they needed,” explained Mdhluli.
The businesswoman has served the group from her home every other week with the help of her family and friends. She serves between 20 and 30 meals each time.
“If we ostracise them, how will they become contributing members of society? How they live is not normal, and we need to help them see that instead of giving up on them,” she added.
Some young men sleep on a corner near Mdhluli’s house, called eSbayeni.
“The conditions they sleep in are not fit for humans. I hope, one day, we will have proper accommodation for them because most are no longer welcome in their homes.
“For now, I hope the meal I give them will make them think twice about stealing from the community,” she said.
Mdhluli said one of the primary reasons she was inspired to help is because she does not want her sons to accept that substance abuse is a norm.
“Our area is a hotspot for drugs, and the more my children and others see this behaviour, they might one day copy it. We do not have to accept this as a community,” she added.
Mdhluli also donates clothing to those who need it.
