They started the Easter Weekend on a giving note. Celebrities: Sydney Ramakuela who plays Mulalo on Muvhango, former Miss SA Ndavi Nokeri, and reality TV star Lethabo "Lejoy" Mathato joined forces with NJM Foundation to donate food parcels, laptops, school uniforms and a bursaries to 2023 matriculants from Vhuronga 2 Circuit worth R120 000. Held at Ha-Mashu in Venda and attended by mayor of Collins Chabane Local Municipality, Shadrack Maluleke, local councillor, the local chief and officials from the Limpopo Department of Education and SABC Limpopo, the charitable event praised learners, parents and educators for their contribution in making sure they out education at the forefront of their lives.

GIVING BACK

Speaking to an audience of learners, parents and delegates, reality TV star and radio personality Lejoy said she knows what it is like to be poor, and she was the first in her family to see a million Rand in her account. "This is where I come from. This is my story. But I decided to change my narrative," she said. "We need to dream big. I knew I would destined for great things and that is why I am here, to give you hope that you too can drive a nice car If you work hard and put education first," she added. Lejoy also added that failure should be motivation to work harder. "We all fail, even as adults. I remember losing everything during COVID-19 and had to start over but now I own a tea business," she added. "Let us allow failure to force us to work harder." The food parcels were enough to feed more than 50 families.

Sydney Ramakuela and Lucky Tshilimadile (NJF Foundation Spokesperson)

Ndavi Nokeri

Mayor of Collins Chabane Local Municipality, Cllr Shadrack Maluleke

A HELPING HAND

The foundation was started in 2023 by Nyambeni Jones Maphalaphathwa after more than a decade of giving back to families and schools from his own pocket. "They have donated to more than 5000 lives. I wanted to be part of that," Lejoy adds. "The foundation has been supporting families and schools in Limpopo Province since 2012. They also sent food parcels and blankets in KZN during the time of floods and more than 500 families benefited and just recently late last year we donated food parcels and sports equipment to communities in and around Gauteng Province."