Mhlaba Memela

Mhlaba Memela

A former presenter of the Sunday TV programme Gospel Gold,Zanele Mbokazi, and popular Ukhozi FM DJ Linda "Mr Magic" Sibiya have made donations to alleviate poverty and unemployment among the youths of Dassenhoek, near Durban.

Mbokazi yesterday donated R20000 to the St Xavier parish of the Roman Catholic Church.

The money will help to revamp the church and to uplift the church choir.

Sibiya, on the other hand, has awarded five bursaries to young people to pursue studies in agriculture.

Mbokazi said: "The donation is part of my promise to the church. I wrote a book and launched it through the church. I made a promise to plough back some of the proceeds to the community."

Mbokazi's book, Lempi obhekene nayo akusiyo eyakho - The battle you are facing is not yours - has sold many copies.

Mbokazi said she appreciated the contributions to her life by her fellow Christians.

"I have vanquished many challenges through prayer. I sometimes lost hope, but through God's mercy I'm alive," she said.

Mbokazi also campaigned for her impoverished area to get help from financial institutions such as iThala Bank.

Paul Nzimade, iThala Bank's manager, said the institution would also contribute to the youth in the area.

Sibiya said young people should change negative thinking patterns into positive ones.

"They should not allow themselves to be ashamed. If you want to stay the course try your best," he said.

He said he would sponsor five pupils who passed matric well by enrolling them at the University of KwaZulu-Natal through church channels.

The Reverend Siyanda Dlamini praised Mbokazi and Sibiya.

"People have lost humanity. They tend to forget where they come from. They do not care about those who are suffering.

"God will multiple his blessings for Zanele and Linda," he said.