GEORGE NEWS - When people receive their plate of food from Meals on Wheels volunteers in Thembalethu, they look around hoping to find a chair to sit on. Even a crate will do. Many however sit on the floor or head outside to find somewhere that will suffice.

Lukhanyiso, which means 'love in action,' is the name of the Meals on Wheels branch in Thembalethu. Manager Tembisa Pietersen hopes that the community of George will help her provide some dignity for those who make use of the Meals on Wheels service. Her vision is to see people sitting down on chairs in the Ngcakani Street site, talking to each other across the table as they enjoy their meal.

She also has another idea. Although Meals on Wheels rents the building where they cook, serving 230 community members, she hopes that a small area of the building can be converted into an office and storage area.

As Tembisa points out when she shows you the kitchen, there is no shelving or storage in the room which means food and containers are placed haphazardly, making it difficult for the cooks to manoeuvre around. This she would like to see remedied.


Anyone able to assist Tembisa Pietersen with tables, chairs, shelving or material to construct walls, can contact her at 081 498 5539.


Lukhanyiso Meals on Wheels manager Tembisa Pietersen indicates the small area that she hopes can be converted into an office and storage area at the branch site.

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: LEEANNE PRATT, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST