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Angels to the rescue

Tebogo Monama

Tebogo Monama

Angels are not only in heaven. This was proved by two Gauteng businessmen who donated food and other supplies to Mama Angel.

Lebogang Shai-Dibakwane and Madimetja Sebata contacted Mama Angel when she was looking for food to donate to a destitute East Rand family.

On August 20, Sowetan ran a story about Bongi Dlamini, 29, who was killed at Magugala Heights.

Dlamini had been missing for three days when firewood collectors stumbled across her decomposing body.

She is survived by her five-year-old daughter who lives with four family members in a shack at Kanana informal settlement.

Mama Angel later learnt that the family could not afford to bury Bongi. And this is where Shai-Dibakwane and Sebata come in. Like angels from heaven, the two visited Mama Angel just when they were needed.

They donated food and other supplies, which Mama Angel forwarded to the family.

Shai-Dibakwane said: "I'm from a poor family. I know all about hunger and do not want other people to suffer. I want to help as many people as I can.

"So far, we have already helped at least 700 people. We want to help a million people by 2010.

"We mostly help people in squatter camps. We work by word of mouth. Someone tells us that there's a family in need and we go out and assist them."

The two met more than 10 years ago and work together at The Sacrificer to reach those in need.

"With Mama Angel's help we will be able to reach more people and maybe charities. We are just trying to help and Mama Angel will direct us in the right direction."

Dlamini was buried on Tuesday with the help of a local undertaker and ward councillor.

The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God provided transport for the family.

Bongi's father Paulos is an invalid and her mother Elizabeth Nomvula was crippled by arthritis.

"Everything went well. We thank everyone for their support and help in burying our daughter," said Nomvula.

The family now needs help to acquire an RDP house, furniture and beddings.

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