Every month, Hannes Botha (55), from Malelane in Limpop province, drives to Zimbabwe to deliver food parcels to about 650 pensioners in 15 retirement homes. The bare essentials food parcels are the highlight of these elderly people's month. Hannes has done this since 2002, taking a 4 ton truck and trailer on the 3500 km trip to deliver 6 tons of food parcels. The locals refer to him as "God's lorry driver". The oldest pensioner is 102 years old, with the majority in their 70s and older. Hannes was born in Zimbabwe and left in 1980, but he feels for the pensioners, who cannot survive on their hard-earned pensions and retirement policies. Some of their families have either left Zimbabwe or have died. They are too old or too poor to leave themselves. Initially, Hannes made the food parcels up himself, using his own money. He delivers everyday things such as toilet paper, cooking oil, flour, rice, coffee, candles, fresh vegetables, batteries and toothpaste - yet these necessities that you and I take for granted, bring tears to the pensioners' eyes. Eventually Hannes recruited volunteers to help him, and churches and welfare groups helped out too. He started the Zimbabwe Pensioners Support Fund, a non-profit organisation. The parcels cot R300 each. Hannes recently left full-time employment at TSB sugar factory in Malelane, to work on this project. Two supporters have underatken to pay him a salary so that he can concentrate on helping the pensioners. Should you wish to support Hannes, banking details are: Zimbabwe Pensioners Support Fund, First National Bank, Malelane (branch code 270952), account no. 62058668230. Or call Hannes at (013) 900 934 or 084 589 3221. E-Mail: pensupzim@telkomsa.net
UPDATE: 06 Sept 2008 - Local media is reporting concerns from various people that there may be financial irregularities about Hannes Botha's Zimbabwe Pensioners Support Fund. Donations were asked, at various times, for the purchase of a new truck. The Christian magazine, Joy, in conjunction with Anne Bishop, a well-known charity volunteer from Fish Hoek, raised R600 000. The editor, Erin Georgiou, is also questioning Hannes' integrity. He has stated that anyone donating to the Zimbabwe Pensioners Support Fund is welcome to check the bank statements. There are now four full time staff members at the fund.
