Coach lends a hand for his birthday
Friends of Masibulele Hlazo fulfilled his wish and gave him sanitary towels for his birthday.
On Saturday February 4, Mr Hlazo’s friends, dressed in sporting attire, presented him with the unusual presents at Nyanga stadium where he held a Ball with a Purpose mini soccer tournament.
The soccer player and coach collects sanitary products, as well as clothes and school shoes, which he gives to the less fortunate on his birthday.
“This is something I do every year for my birthday. Instead of asking my friends to give me nice things, I ask for school shoes, sanitary towels and other clothes that people are not using. This is what makes me happy,” he said.
On Saturday he collected about 600 sanitary towel packs and 100 pairs of school shoes. These will be distributed to schools in Gugulethu, Nyanga, Samora Machel and Crossroads.
“My birthday is on the 8th. I have been doing this for five years now and I’m still raring to go, as long as I still live. I might distribute them on that day or another day but I intend to go to various locations as I always do on the day,” he told Vukani.
He thanked the donors for their generosity. However, he said he feels that people can do more to help the less fortunate. He also appealed to other people to do the same.
“Times are bad. We all need a helping hand. We all ought to be alert and aware of the plight of others. Izandla ziyahlambana (hands are washed),” Mr Hlazo said.
His gesture did not go unnoticed. His old friend Masonwabe Bovu congratulated him and encouraged him to not stop doing it.
“He is a good-hearted fellow. We played together and he was always a good guy with a good heart. He has done this and I wish him all the best,” said Mr Bovu.
