He brings hope and happiness to their hearts

When he walked into the Informal Settlement of Zandspruit, finalist in the Mr South Africa pageant Armand du Plessis said he wanted to create happiness for the community and share that happiness with the world.

The 25-year-old Ruimsig resident went to Emthonjeni Community Centre situated at the settlement on 26 October. This was not his first visit to the centre and it was more about honouring and keeping a promise. “I had a blanket drive there earlier this year and I promised the little children I met there that I would come back, so here I am,” explained Du Plessis. The visit was one of the tasks that Du Plessis had to do as a finalist in the pageant.

This time around, Du Plessis was at the centre to hand over vegetables and herb plants. “With the help of Garden World Nursery and the Lifestyle Garden Centre, I managed to hand over these vegetables and herb plants to the Emthonjeni Centre to plant, and add onto their current existing vegetable and herb garden,” explained Du Plessis.

He added that he knows that the donation will make a real and a significant difference in the lives of the Zandspruit community.

“Since 2002, Emthonjeni has been privileged to work with devoted, high calibre local volunteers and leaders.” He said the roots of volunteers at Emthonjeni are deep within the community they serve because they believe that all people, no matter what age, race, gender, social and economic position or abilities, have opportunities to contribute to society and promote social upliftment.

“Emthonjeni’s vision is to bring hope to communities for sustainable living through educational, medical care and social services and that is what we need in different communities.”

The final event for the crowning of Mr South Africa will be held on 12 December at EnGedi Bistro and Conference Centre in Kromdraai.