FROM CAPE TOWN WITH LOVE - Mense all over the city spread the Christmas cheer

FROM Tygerberg to Phumlani Village, Cape Town is showing its heart this Christmas season. 

With many families having to tighten the purse strings this year, children around the Mother City face the holidays without a festive meal - let alone a present. 

But all around the city, mense are being moved by the Christmas spirit to share and give what they have. 

Mike Potgieter and Rouchelle Liedemann, hosts of Radio Tygerberg’s popular weekday afternoon show Lift Klub, teamed up with listeners to bring some joy to kids affected by gang violence and severe socio-economic challenges on the Cape Flats.

Partnering with the non-profit organisation It’s Amazing, Mike and Rouchelle set out on a bold mission: to collect 500 Christmas gifts for children who regularly attend the organisation’s programmes.

Lift Klub host Mike Potgieter reflected on the experience: “Whenever we do projects like this, I start off thinking that we are the ones blessing the kids. But as soon as the project gets going and you meet the listeners who get involved, you realise very quickly that we are actually the ones receiving the blessing.”

Despite the violence in the community of Manenberg, Valerie Oliphant made sure that kids in her community had a lekker jol.

The children enjoyed chicken, sausage, salads and savouries.

For dessert, the laaities were treated to some ice cream with a sauce over and also cake in a box.

En dis nie al nie, the kids were treated to a lekker jol with a DJ and a jumping castle.

Valerie said: “The reason for giving this lunch to the kids is because we feel that there is a child that can't have a decent meal on Christmas and as we know every child's dream is to have something nice and sweet.”

Meanwhile, in Portland, Mitchells Plain, pensioner Jasmina Williams treated over 120 seniors to a festive lunch.

Jasmina, 71, affectionately known as Aunty Mina, has been doing her senior Christmas lunches for five years with her pension and with the help of her family in Portland, Mitchells Plain.

She told the Daily Voice: “We had seniors from all over Mitchells Plain as well as Grassy Park and different areas and it was so nice to see everyone have a good time. I love feeding people and giving back, I don’t mind taking from my pension.”