Are you also someone who believes that there are no white squatters, people just like you, talking the same language as you, belonging to the very same ” volk” as you? Are you maybe taking the daily privilege of having an income and enough food to eat every day for granted? Then maybe you should visit Sonskynhoekie, a white squatter camp outside of Pretoria.
Several people recently decided to bring some hope in the hearts of the people of Sonskynhoekie where people are living in tents, wooden structures and caravans by collecting food and other necessities for this squatter community.
Ignaz Streicher, station manager of Overvaal Stereo, a community radio station broadcasting mostly in the Northwest province and parts of the Free State, says the idea originated with one of their advertisers, Sanet van Wyk, owner of Megasave, who informed them of the many needs the people of Sonskynhoekie faced.
Streicher says they originally asked their listeners to send donations which could be delivered to a central drop off point from where it would be distributed to Sonskynhoekie’s people. They decided however that a physical outreach was necessary because too many people believe that white squatter camps are a myth so they wanted to visit the camp themselves and share the reality with their listeners.
This past weekend Overvaal Stereo together with ex Springbok rugby player Vlok Cilliers, Megasave, Maluti FM and Boere Gemeenskap Transvaal took a whole truck full of donations to the people of Sonskynhoekie. There were also several cars full of gifts as well as toys because there are so many children living in Sonskynhoekie. It is estimated the community consist of 160 adults and 60 children.
Streicher says that life has left the people of Sonskynhoekie no other choice. Many of them just lost support structures like family and ended up in the street. The dice just fell in the wrong way for them says Streicher. The eldest resident is 94 years old. Her name is Gerda. Sanet van Wyk of Megasave says she decided to start the project because she wanted to open people’s eyes. She says more people should get involved and visit these kind of places for themselves. She says that it is only when one visit a place like this that one will understand the circumstances and what these people are going through.
Van Wyk says her heart wants to sing when she saw all the gifts that were brought but that food is still needed and will always be needed.
Johan van der Merwe also sang for the people, something that they enjoyed very much. Streicher says that Overvaal would like to go on with the project but that the support of the public is vital.
Come on people, support Overvaal Stereo so that they can do more! Pls share this article . Do it for the people of Sonskynhoekie!
South Africa Today – South Africa News
White squatter camps: South African children in dire need of help
