South African legendary singer, Kabelo Mabalane is pleading with South Africans to donate baby food and nappies to communities in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), who are affected by the looting and riots in the province.
In a video posted on social media, the ‘Pantsula 4 Life’ hitmaker, called on all South Africans to help with donations, especially baby formula and nappies essentials that are running out in the province as a result of the chaos that saw businesses getting looted, while trucks and buildings were torched to the ground in some parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal last week.
This is as a result of the arrest of the former South African President, Jacob Zuma. It is reported that the protests were sparked by followers of former President Jacob Zuma, who are calling for his release from prison. However, it seems criminals are also taking advantage of the situation.
In the short video clip, Mabalane started by thanking all the residents of Soweto and the surrounding areas who came in their numbers to help clean up the ruins after the looting that took place at Jabulani Mall. He went on to make a request saying:
“I’m appealing to us again to tap into our networks to get supplies down to KZN. It has come to our attention that there is a shortage of baby formula and nappies”.
The star urged South Africans to donate other essentials including mealie-meal, cooking oil, sugar, tea and coffee, instant soups and noodles, toiletries, and bath soaps.
“We need to get supplies to KZN. The chaos has obviously interrupted the infrastructure that transports goods and services up and down the country, so those of you who can, please tap into your networks and let’s get the suppliers down.
“We’ve organized transport that leaves on Thursday. So, we can kindly deliver all these goods at Rhema Bible Church by Wednesday at 5 pm. Thank you once again, let’s rebuild”.
Well, Mabalane joins a long list of celebrities including Danny K, Somizi Mhlongo-Motaung, Kelly Khumalo, Thandiswa Mazwai, Theo Kgosinkwe, and Sello Maake Ka-Ncube who have called for an end to the violent protests and unrest in South Africa.
Television host, Somizi Mhlongo-Motaung wading into the conversation, expressed his dismay at the ongoing riots as he called South Africans a “disgrace”.
Taking to Instagram on Monday, the Metro FM presenter called out criminals who are fronting as Jacob Zuma protesters.
“If this is the South Africa that we have all been dreaming about, count me out.
“What is happening right now in KZN and Gauteng, the looting in the name of being former President Zuma’s supporters… No, that’s not the way to go… Something needs to be done asap”.
The TV host also backlashed the police for not acting as aggressively as they did during certain students protests, in March, where a passer-by was shot in the crossfire and many students were injured.
“When students were rioting peacefully, all over the county, they were shot with rubber bullets, some were shot using live ammunition… water cannons were used”.
The star also condemned the “barbaric” acts of violence saying:
“Who is going to suffer… This is self-inflicted poverty and we are sitting comfortably in our own homes watching… When some of us might survive all of this, the majority are going to suffer. We need to do something. What’s happening now is utter rubbish… Let’s call it what it is… it is barbaric, even animals don’t behave as we do right now.
“There is no excuse. Whether Zuma is innocent or guilty, I don’t care!”.
The star urged the authorities to put measures in place to stop the riots before the entire country burned to the ground.
“Something needs to be done. South Africa is going to burn… What an unproud moment to be South African right now!”.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has addressed the nation as violence and looting continue to spread across KZN and Gauteng, amid calls for the release of former President Jacob Zuma.
In a statement issued, the Presidency confirmed the SANDF had been deployed to assist the police in accordance with the SA Constitution.
Read also: Reactions as South Africa’s top court sentences ex-President Jacob Zuma
