They came in droves – from every square inch of a working-class community called Malibelinye, loosely translated meaning “Let us be one”. The community is part of the sprawling scale of impoverishment, hardship and poverty that characterize life in this part of South Africa’s key Metro east of Johannesburg, which is better-known as Ekurhuleni.
Still keeping with the theme of the internationally-recognized Mandela Day, the Chinese business community embarked on a memorable outreach program in Malibelinye. They were led by the China Hong Kong Association South Africa (CHKASA), and the Germiston Chinese Business Community Care Organizing Committee. Other Chinese enterprises participating in this grand scheme of “giving back” included Grand Plan Plastics, Environmental Cleaning (Pty) Ltd, Senst Investment, Sunshiny Plastics and Turquoise Moon International.
Minister Maoyi Zhou, a senior diplomatic from the Chinese in SA, was also present together with his delegation, giving his massive support.
In a sea of destitute people, hordes of Chinese people who attended the event in an open field freely mingled in a show of unity and solidarity.
Saturday 25th July, 2026 will never be forgotten in a long time. The Chinese business community arrived with trucks and loads of essential gifts. They handed out wheelchairs to people who could barely walk and unable to afford a wheelchair of their own.
Other trucks delivered various kinds of food parcels, including 10 kg bags of mealie-meal, SA’s staple diet. Other foods that drove particularly the youth and little ones to jump with joy were noodles. The elderly, many using walking sticks, received blankets and other clothing items. SA is still in the grip of a chilling winter and it was thus mindful of the Chinese businesses to include blankets in their gift packages.
Chairperson of the Malibelinye Community, Mr Alex Xakambana, attributed the orderly distribution of handouts to initial vetting process that he and others conducted throughout sections 5, 8 and 9, where the beneficiaries came. “And this way,” he explained, “only the most deserving recipients have been issued with tickets, which they present as a precondition to receiving food parcels, or a wheelchair.”
Karen Lam, a key member of the organizing committee, said: “The outreach is a community donation and social cohesion initiative serving residents of Germiston extensions 5, 8 and 9. Approximately 1,000 pre-identified benefiaries are gathered here, as you can see, to receive wheelchairs, blankets, winter clothing, school bags, hats, food parcels and other essential items.”
Ms Lam added: “The program advances shared local priorities relating to dignity, disability inclusion, food security, social cohesion and community-based care.”
Mr Peter Cheng, Chairperson of CHKASA, who runs a huge warehouse in the area, told Malibelinye residents that the outreach event was paving the way for many more that will follow.
“We value our peaceful coexistence and living in harmony together. We are inter-dependent and inter-connected. We cannot survive with working together,” Mr Cheng said, to loud applause.
Chinese Embassy’s Minister Maoyi Zhou applauded the initiative in his well-received speech. He emphasized the importance of humanitarian programs and said the Chinese Embassy in SA is always ready and willing to assist poverty-stricken communities to push back against hunger, starvation and hardships.
Ms Dorah Mlambo, a Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Ekurhuleni Metro whose portfolio is Infrastructure and Economic Development, said: “This event is a powerful example of what we can achieve when we work together.”
“Today, we are not just handing over essential items like wheelchairs, blankets and food parcels,” she said, before adding emphatically: “We are handing over hope, dignity, and a tangible expression of solidarity.” She further said in Ekurhuleni, the popular mantra went as follows: “A city is not built by government alone.”
Also speaking was Mr Chris Malematja, Deputy President of the SA National Civics Organization (SANCO), an alliance member together with the ANC, SA Communist Party and giant trade union federation, COSATU. Mr Malematja is also an ANC Member of Parliament (MP), serving in the portfolio committee on Trade and Industry.
He lauded the cooperation between the community and the Chinese business community. The Chinese Embassy in South Africa has gained a reputation as a pro-poor and always working to alleviate hardships endured by so many in our country. Long may the cooperation last, he said.
A major theme of the ceremony was also eye-catching. It read: “Giving back. Sharing warmth. Growing together.”
There can be no doubt, therefore, when love and peace are fostered across communities, and mistrust disappears, all sectors of greater Ekurhuleni and society at large will benefit immensely.
Chinese businesses in and around the area need to source labour from nearby communities of Malibelinye and others. At the same time, it is the duty of the locals to ensure businesses enjoy peaceful operations, with no threats of disruption from anywhere.
The outreach was a magnificent event to be a part of. It was also a joy to witness its massive success that left beneficiaries vividly pleased about their cooperation with the Chinese Business Community that cares.
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