The Bangladeshi Business Forum raised R650 000 from Bangladeshi small businesses and donated 2 100 food parcels to communities in Mitchell’s Plain.
The hall at Cedar High School in Rocklands was filled with the parcels on Thursday June 18, as forum members expressed their gratitude for being able to come together to help others.
They have distributed to eight points in the community, including Lentegeur, Eastridge, Tafelsig and Beacon Valley.
Mohammed Masum Hossain, a member of the Bangladeshi community, said it was part of their responsibility to take care of the communities they were in.
“We asked everyone to assist and help where they can to help the next person.”
Mohammad Groenewald, a community worker for Muslim Youth Movement on the Cape Flats, said these initiatives build stronger relationships with foreign nationals and local communities.
“This is the way we will educate and inform. This community has been ignored for so long, and xenophobic attacks affect this community too. We are thankful for their contributions during these challenging times.”
Lynn Phillips, secretary of the Mitchell’s Plain Community Police Forum and community activist, who assisted with the volunteers and packaging the food parcels, thanked the donors and the volunteers for coming out and working into the night.
“Borders cannot separate these connections that we need to make. As an activist I am truly grateful and thankful that you are helping the community,” said Ms Phillips.