Food for learning this man’s goal

Although Motherwell resident and The Herald GM Citizen of the Year award nominee Xolile Raymond Bonakele is by no means a rich man, he wants to share what little he has.

Seen by many as a local hero, he is especially known for his feeding scheme for impoverished schoolchildren in the Nelson Mandela Bay neighbourhood.

Bonakele founded the Ikhaa Labantu feeding scheme in 2003, with the aim of feeding pupils at various schools who would otherwise have to learn on an empty stomach.

“Education is very important. Children can’t learn at school if they are hungry. That’s why I am prepared to do everything I can for them,” Bonakele said.

Although he has received awards and accompanying prize-money in previous years from Nedbank and Ellerines, the feeding scheme has no sponsors.

Instead, Bonakele, who has a small business selling meat and stew in Motherwell, pays for the soup and bread he gives out at schools himself.

“I am not a rich man, but I like to share whatever I have,” Bonakele said.

The feeding scheme covers seven schools in the area, including Douglas Mbopa Senior Secondary, Zanoxolo Primary and Dumani Primary.

Each school is visited by the scheme’s eight volunteers once a week to feed the poorest of the pupils.

Bonakele feels it important to look after the children of the community. “The children at the schools of today are tomorrow’s government officials and doctors. They are the future.”

Besides feeding the children, Bonakele also tries to keep his community crime- free.

“I try to look out for the children and young people. Sometimes I take them with me to establish vegetable gardens at schools, so they are busy and not doing crime.”

Bonakele and other volunteers also patrol the area to stop schools being burgled.

“People steal computers and copper pipes from schools.

“When people see something, they call me or other volunteers. Every time the police are called, they are late.”

Douglas Mbopa Senior Secondary principal Fudumele Bottoman said words could not express the appreciation he felt for Bonakele’s work.

“He comes on Thursdays during the break and gives them meat, soup and bread.

“Who in this day and age would think of someone else with the little he has himself?”

Bottoman said the feeding scheme benefited more than 50 children at his school.

“These kids are from homes that have nothing. They come to school without having anything to eat.

“A child is supposed to eat every day.”

Bottoman said Bonakele’s help had come as a blessing last year.

“We didn’t have to look for his help. He just came from nowhere and offered it.”

For Bonakele, taking care of the community has become a life goal.

“God gave me the power to see the children going forward and I want to look after them – I don’t want to see them doing crime.”

(This story is courtesy of The Herald. Used with permission.)