BHEKISWAYO, Mpumalanga — In a meaningful celebration of Nelson Mandela Day, the founders of the Luvelo Social Club community centre in Bhekiswayo Village, near Hazyview, have sunk a new borehole to provide critical water relief to local residents. This initiative directly honors the sacrifices of the late Nelson Mandela while addressing a pressing infrastructure need in the Mpumalanga community.
Established seven years ago, the Luvelo Social Club has become a beacon of hope for 65 elderly citizens in Bhekiswayo Village. The facility provides a dedicated, supportive space for seniors to engage in daily activities, including vegetable farming, educational programs, and arts and crafts.
According to the founders of the Luvelo Social Club, the borehole project is a direct effort to give back to the community by supplying a reliable water source. The milestone was celebrated with senior citizens and broader community members, highlighting the ongoing, multi-faceted support the facility receives from local stakeholders.
Community elders representing the seniors who use the facility daily expressed deep satisfaction with the benefits the center offers. “As a community, we are very happy, especially because this center treats us well as old people. This is where we come to unwind with our age mates,” shared one community elder.
Another resident highlighted the comprehensive care provided at the center, noting, “We have a project here where we farm. In the morning, we get breakfast. In the evening, we get dinner. We are truly happy because of this place.”
Addressing the region’s historical infrastructure challenges, a community member expressed profound gratitude to the center’s founder for mobilizing external volunteers to construct the new borehole. “We struggle with water in this area and go months without it,” the resident noted, adding that the partners recognized the urgent need and saw it fit to intervene and provide this essential resource.
Beyond the water infrastructure, center partners leveraged the Mandela Day celebration to distribute food parcels to 40 families across all four villages in the surrounding community. Additionally, local crèches and orphanages received vital food support.
The partners also contributed to the physical upkeep of the Luvelo Social Club, funding repairs and painting the walls. This ensures the facility can continue to operate as a “center of hope and light” for the community.
As South Africa marks Mandela Month, this grassroots project in Bhekiswayo exemplifies the nationwide commitment to doing good for disadvantaged communities, ensuring that the legacy of service and compassion continues to impact lives where it is needed most.