In the village of Matshemhlophe, located in Kwazulu-Natal district in South Africa, 4000 residents once faced a major water crisis. The community members relied on and consumed unsafe water. Women and girls had to walk long distances daily to fetch water, leading to waterborne diseases and insufficient water for daily needs like bathing, cooking, washing and growing their own crops. On November 14, 2023, thanks to a donation from Raging River Trading, Matshemhlophe Village celebrated the installation of a solar water pump. Every day, the system delivers 86,000 liters of clean water to 20 taps via 2270 kilometers of piping. This development has positively impacted education, economic progress, and the villagers' health. Matshemhlophe Village is now flourishing, demonstrating the transformative power of clean water
Sthembiso Mnyandu, 39-year-old father of 4 and featured below, expresses his gratitude to you:
"My siblings and I grew up facing hardship and relying on social grants to survive. We lost our parents when I was only 19, and our youngest sibling was just 2 years old. From a young age, we had to fetch water from open sources. Life was incredibly challenging, and to help sustain us, I started a small vegetable garden. However, it didn’t thrive as I had hoped—vegetables would spoil quickly, and food was often scarce. Despite these difficulties, we managed to get by with the little we had. Now, thanks to the water project in our community, my backyard garden is flourishing. I am even planning to expand it so I can sell produce within the community and earn some extra income. This project has brought immense joy not just to me and my family, but to the entire community. As a member of the water committee I am continuing to see the benefits of this wonderful project and all I want to say is thank you for this gift! ”
BETWAY CARES FOUNDATION ANSWERS MINISTER GAYTON MCKENZIE’S CALL FOR SUPPORT
Wednesday, 16 October 2024 – The Betway Cares Foundation has donated musical instruments to the value of R1m to the Mitchell’s Plain Music Academy NPC, after Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, the honourable Gayton McKenzie, reached out to Betway Africa, CEO, Laurence Michel and asked for support for the program that has touched so many lives in the community and continues to inspire over 200 aspiring musicians since 2014.
The Mitchell’s Plain Music Academy has fallen on a sustainability crisis and with the support of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the Betway Cares Foundation, will continue to provide essentially music training opportunities to the resilient community and reach even more prospective musicians in other regions of the Western Cape.
The Minister said: “This academy is a beacon of hope in a part of this city that struggles with numerous social challenges. When I heard people’s personal stories, especially the ones about how so many children have to take turns to practice on one instrument, I realised that we would urgently need to do something.”
“I would like to thank the good people at Betway for not hesitating to assist us with this project,” said the Minister. “Initiatives like these help to keep pushing our society in productive, creative directions, providing hope and options to our youth. It was a special moment to be part of this tonight.”
Betway Africa CEO, Laurence Michel added: “We are honoured to have supported the minister and the community of Mitchell’s Plain, watching these talented musicians from the Mitchell’s Plain Music Academy perform is truly special and we as Betway and the Betway Cares Foundation are proud to contribute and aim to keep contributing so we can play our part in uplifting our fellow South Africans.”
The handover took place in Cape Town on Monday evening.
Basic information about MPMA:
• Mitchell's Plain Music Academy (MPMA) is more than just a music school—it's a beacon of hope for transformation in the Western Cape.
• Established as a Non-Profit Company in 2014, MPMA has become a cornerstone of social cohesion and community upliftment, providing the youth with the tools they need to escape the cycles of crime, poverty, and substance abuse that plague their communities.
• Through the universal language of music, MPMA fosters a sense of belonging, pride, and purpose, helping to reshape the future of Mitchell's Plain and beyond.
• Since its humble beginnings in a living room, MPMA has grown into a vibrant institution that has touched the lives of nearly 200 students monthly, pre-COVID-19. Their programs have not only nurtured musical talents but have also created tangible opportunities for personal and professional growth.