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Bongani Khumalo gives up his salary for charity
Bongani Khumalo of SuperSport United has donated one month’s salary to buy food parcels for needy families in Pretoria and his country of birth, Eswatini |
At a time when the earnings of professional football players are under threat because of the ripple effects of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic on the global economy, SuperSport United defender Bongani Khumalo has sacrificed his salary for a noble cause.
The former Bafana Bafana captain told City Press this week that he had donated a month’s salary to provide food parcels for about 300 families.
On Thursday, Khumalo distributed 200 food parcels at an informal settlement in Pretoria West, which is close to his neighbourhood. He said arrangements were on track to deliver the remainder of the parcels to Eswatini, his country of birth. The 33-year-old tough-tackling central defender was born in the tiny landlocked country, raised in Mamelodi township outside Pretoria.
Khumalo said the gesture was purely an act of goodwill at a time when South Africa is trying to deal with deepening food security concerns for the poor during the national lockdown.
“I have decided to donate my full salary to buy food parcels [for the needy] and I am doing this from the bottom of my heart.
“I am in a fortunate position to do this and I hope to reach out to 300 families during this difficult time, while also paying homage to Eswatini, where my father was born,” said Khumalo, adding that each hamper contained basic food stuffs and sanitary items.
He declined to quantify the value of his total contribution as this would give away what he earns every month. “I am doing this in my personal capacity; this is not for personal glory,”
Khumalo also spoke about his interests outside of football, and said that his company – a mask manufacturing company founded in Centurion a few years ago – has undertaken to make a separate donation. “I am a co-partner in a company called U-Mask based in Centurion. My two co-founders, David Molosankwe and Jordean Eksteen, and I have decided to donate to charity.”
The defender said his goodwill gesture was also a way to show his appreciation for the fact that he got to play football again after a ruptured knee ligament kept him out of action for eight month.
“Being a professional footballer and potentially earning large sums of money also comes with massive responsibilities, both to one’s family and the community. “It’s fantastic to see at times like we are currently faced with how many of these footballers are trying to assist the communities where they come from and others in need,” said Binkin of the Player’s Club Management Agency.
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6 comments:
Such a great and generous story of Bongali Khumalo. Someone who truly made a difference to his community. Imagine, If those 60 super rich American billionaires would collaborate and do something spectacular like Khumalo. Wow! So much could change. For example, The billionaires could actually help support our deteriorating INFRASTRUCTURE. Or Maybe they could help influence the growing urgency to make Universal health care for all American citizens possible. This could help elieviate the stress of a catastrophic illness such as cancer or other life changing illnesses like covid that has affected so many of us. Just imagine the possibilities of "IF".
Just lovely! :-)
Thank you, I agree, Anonymous. No hints? Initials?
Thank you, John! ;o)
Forget me not so appropriate. By now you've been to Donut Man right? :-)
Thanks Lynn, no not yet. I had a great lunch today at a lovely place called Silver Trumpet in Costa Mesa, more in tomorrow's blog. Thanks again.
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