By Nangamso Mabindla
6 December 2007

EXECUTIVE MAYOR Zintle Peter will play her part in bringing smiles to the city's needy this festive season when she takes a message of hope and goodwill to 300 hospitalised children, as part of her annual Christmas outreach programme.

The programme, which started in 2006 as a small toy drive by City staff, has grown and is supported by Meeg Bank. It includes a lunch with underprivileged pensioners.

City spokesperson, Darby Gounden, said that on Monday, 10 December, young hospital patients would receive toys to provide comfort and holiday cheer.

"[The mayor], councillors and officials will be on hand to share words of comfort and encouragement with those kids who may not be able to spend Christmas at home."

Speaking about the initiative, Peter said that Buffalo City took great pride in embracing the holiday spirit through its Christmas outreach activities.

"We are immensely blessed to have so much and through the outreach, we are able to keep the spirit of giving alive and give hope to so many who feel hopeless."

Peter said she looked forward to seeing the smiles on the children's faces when she handed out the toys, as well as offering comfort to those children desperately in need of love and care.

"It is important that I give of my time to the underprivileged children of our city. I would like to give them hope so that they know someone out there cares for them but, more importantly, that they have a brighter future awaiting them."

She thanked Meeg Bank for its donation. The hospitals to be visited are Grey, Bhisho, Cecilia Makiwane, Nkqubela, Frere and Fort Grey.

Also set to benefit from the outreach programme are the city's elderly, when Peter hosts her annual Christmas lunches for 450 pensioners in Mdantsane, King William's Town and East London.

Initiated in 2006 in partnership with the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), the lunches aim to bring a spirit of Christmas cheer and hope to the old folk.

Explaining the impetus behind the initiative, Peter said that pensioners needed to feel wanted, cared for and appreciated. "This is just our small gesture to show our elderly that someone out there does care for them."

The first lunch is at the Mdantsane Indoor Sports Centre on Friday, 7 December. It will be followed by lunches at the Moses Twebe Hall, in Dimbaza on Sunday, 9 December and at the East London City Hall on Tuesday, 11 December.

Peter thanked Sassa for its support, and encouraged the organisation to continue lending a hand.