Headman hailed by community as he helps start education trust for rural community

Headman Manganyi helps start education fund to assist destitute children

“I work hand in hand with community structures”

Benson Ntlemo

When the South African National Civic Organisation at Xitlhelani in the Collins Chabane Local Municipality recently started a community education trust to assist destitute children, they did so because of the support of the local headman Xitlhelani, real names Gezani George Manganyi.

“It was because of his selflessness that we have started the fund and we must say thank you to him, “said the secretary of the civic Prince Nkuna as he handed the headman a token of appreciation in the form of a certificate.
Headman Xitlhelani did the rare think for a traditional leader.

When MTN came knocking and wanted to erect an aerial in the area and they told him that there would be monthly rental, instead of making an agreement and receive the money he called local community structures.
He told them he felt the money would be used for the education of the local children.

An account was opened administered by the community and from mid 2018 the account is receiving an amount of just over R3 000 monthly.
The money has not been used and it was recently the money used to establish the community bursary fund and other leaders have come forward and pledged to support the bursary fund.

Nkuna said the community was proud of the local headman. “If he did not have the interest of the community at heart, we would probably not know that there is a rental for the aerial, “he said.

Nkuna said that was not all and the headman was assisting the community in a number of ways.

Nkuna said the aim of the trust is to assist destitute children in the community.

The headman has also given Sanco an office at the local community hall, the Gezani George Manganyi hall from where they operated. The headman was instrumental in the building of the hall.

“We realised local children just pass grade and linger in the streets without having applied at any institution.

“We decided to assist them with online applications. We also pay the applications fees,” he said.

Children from local high schools visit the office on Saturdays for assistance.
They are from local schools such as Mahuntsi High School, Malamulele High, Mphambo High, Shingwedzi, Shirilele and George Sonto.
Asked to comment on the good words from Sanco, the headman said he was working hand in glove with the community and it works.

“Even the government expects us to work together, “he said.

He said when MTN approached him and talked about rental when the aerial is erected in the area, he decided to talk to local structures as there is nothing he hides from them.

“I told them I had in mind poor kids in the area and I even thought of buying computers for our poorly local schools. I told them I do not take any money that is meant for the community as I am able to work for myself, “he said.

Asked about the local hall that is named after him headman Xitlhelani said: “A businessman Mike Manganyi from Jimmy Jones came and requested a business site. “There was a site which was used for a community project that was no longer functioning. I asked him since he was dealing with irons if he could not erect a structure for us for a hall and I would talk to the community to give him a business site and he agreed,” he said. The hall is now operating as a multipurpose centre.

The hall was completed with the assistance of the Mavambe traditional council where he works under Hosi Patrick II

Local leaders have vowed to support the education initiative in the area.
They include internationally known businessman Mike Nkuna. It is a good initiative and I have pledged to support it, “he said.

University of Venda lecturer Dr Mafemani Joseph Baloyi who was the guest speaker also gave the idea thumbs up and said people needed that initiative like that to have their place during the “Fourth Industrial revolution.”
Mike Nkuna was also honoured for making malls around the country and making Xitlhelani where he comes from proud.

Some locals who were also honoured by the community of Shitlhelani include Ishmael Maluleke who was once the Premier Soccer League’s top goal scorer while with Manning Rangers and Tonic Chabalala former Orlando Pirates defender and captain. The others include Vaheed Patel of Quicksave Supermarket and contribute to worthy causes in the area and local veteran civic leader Enos Maluleke.