BuaNews (Tshwane)
Proffesor Ndawonde
26 August 2008
Pretoria — Monday proved to be a special day for children around Gauteng when the South African Air Force 17 Squadron crew flew to various schools and children welfare organisations with a mission of spreading goodwill and cheer.
The Air Force's Oryx helicopter, which is normally used for somber missions such as crime-fighting operations and deploying peacekeepers, flew to the various locations to hand out food parcels, toys, soccer balls, and fridge's for the schools.
Children with disabilities from Laudium, Tembisa, Centurion, Soshanguve and Bronkhorstspruit were afforded an opportunity to fly in the Oryx helicopter and hang out with the South African boxing star, Baby Jake Matlala.
Mr Matlala said the heartwarming event had encouraged children, particularly orphans, and shown them that they were loved by their country.
Thoko Mutsweni, a 12-year-old girl said she had always dreamt of becoming a pilot but was unable to fly due to her disability. When she realised she was about to take a flip on the Oryx she was overjoyed.
"I don't have parents but people like these soldiers, who often show love, have given me hope," said the girl who was orphaned by AIDS and living at the St Josephs Care and Support Trust in Bronkhorstspruit.
She thanked the 17 Squadron crew for making such an effort for them. "God will bless you for coming to us and spend good time with us."
The Air Force Office Commander, General Sam Madamane said the visits to needy schools and organisations formed part of their need to spread cheer where often there was only despair.
"Some of these children have lost their parents due to HIV and AIDS. We have made it our responsibility to make them happy.
"The 17 Squadron crew sacrificed their time to have fun with these children who come from horrific backgrounds".
General Madamane said it was every South African's responsibility to show the vulnerable groups such as physically and mentally disabled children that they were not forgotten and make them feel as part of society.
Thabo Radzuma, 18, who lives at the Action Labourers for the Harvest mission in Pretoria, said while he was excited to receive donations, it was his very first time flying in the helicopter.
The shy young man said he had been living on the streets of Pretoria for more than six years after fleeing home because of an abusive father.
"I left home because my father was abusing my mother and siblings. Sometimes he could sexual abuse my young sister," said Thabo, adding that his mother was unable to report him to the police as he was the sole breadwinner in the family.
The 17 Squadron crew were recently praised for their great courage when they rescued people off the roof of the burning Schubert Park flats in Pretoria
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