Last Wednesday, and Thursday, the Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament (WCPP), Masizole Mnqasela, distributed the recently launched “Happy Heroes” nutritious pap to more than 10 early childhood development (ECD) centres and five old age homes in the communities of Hangklip/Kleinmond, Greater Hermanus area, Stanford and Gansbaai.
Mnqasela said it was heart warming to see the young children and elderly people with smiles on their faces, excited as they received the nutritious pap. He said the pap is not only vital in ensuring nutrition and balanced diet for the elderly. “It is key to children’s growth and development, and also provides additional health incentives – especially to those children from the poorest and most marginalised communities.”
Happy Heroes is a product of Harvest Foods. With young future leaders in mind, it aims to provide a delicious nutritional meal, with its instant maize porridge filled with all the right sources a little hero needs. Some of the nutritional star sources include Biotin, Vitamin B1, Phosphorus and Calcium. It is also high in energy, fibre, vitamin A and vitamin C.
Among the beneficiaries on Wednesday, the Speaker donated boxes to Heideland Kleuterskool ECD Centre and Bambanani Kleuterskool ECD Centre in Proteadorp Community Hall, Little Angels ECD Centre, and Vol Vertroue Dienssentrum Old Age Home in Stanford, and Silwerjare Dienssentrum Old Age Home, Good Hope ECD centre, Inkamva ECD Centre and Dolfyntjies ECD Centre in Gansbaai.
On Thursday, the Speaker also donated to EJ Lombardi Centre (Old Age Home), and Just Care ECD Centre in Mount Pleasant, Sonstraaltjies ECD centre, and Pearly Shell Dienssentrum in Hawston, and Masibulele Educare, Ethembeni Educare, Siyazama Old Age Home and Mandisa Day Care in Zwelihle.
“In our communities, acute malnutrition remains a significant underlying cause of child mortality, being associated with one-third of all children admitted to hospital,” said Mnqasela.
He said children suffering from acute malnutrition are known to have weak immune systems and are prone to infections which can lead to death. If they survive they are more susceptible to being stunted and having long-term developmental delays.
The Overstrand Municipality’s Deputy Executive Mayor, also responsible for crime prevention, Cllr Lindile Ntsabo, said “this programme will also assist in reducing crime in the communities, as the young children were now found committing crimes because of hunger.”
