By Staff Reporter
news@alexreporter.co.za
The Pitori Jeepers Crew is about more than just a love for the iconic car brand.
The ‘Jeepers’ use their vehicles to make a difference in communities, schools and NGOs around Tshwane and bring hope.
Driving to Inspire hope, the Jeepers are a group of entrepreneurs, doctors and corporate professionals united by a love of the outdoors and a desire to help reduce poverty in the communities.
The crew consists of 40 individuals who live in Tshwane and are part of a national movement that has 207 members who drive Jeep Wranglers.
They raise funds to provide community-based social services and to assist needy pupils with school supplies, uniforms, food parcels, and clothing for orphanages.
The latest orphanage to benefit from the Jeepers Outreach programme is Mohau Child Care Centre, a 42-child orphanage located at Kalafong Hospital in Atteridgeville, west of the capital city.
Hope filled the air when the Jeepers visited the Centre as part of their outreach programme on Saturday.
Glory Dube, a social worker at Mohau Centre, was on hand to accept donations from the Jeepers, which included groceries, sanitary pads, school uniforms, laptops, and cellphones for the matriculants.
“We’d really want to thank the Jeepers for their donations,” Dube said. “These have put smiles on the children’s faces.”
Mohau was established due to the apparent need for care of the orphaned, the abandoned and the abused.
It is a residential care centre for kids who require care and protection, in
accordance with the Children’s Act.
“The kids come here on court orders,” Dube continued. “Some have maintained contact with their families, while others have not. There are social workers who work with all the kids. Some kids are on chronic medications. So, we appreciate all the help that we get.”
The Jeepers capped off the visit with a lunch treat for the kids at a restaurant in town.
Since inception, the Pitori Jeepers Crew have toured Richards Bay, Durban, Nelspruit, Secunda, Bela-Bela and Rustenburg.
“We are a casual club with a passion for the Jeep brand. But importantly, we are all about making a difference in our communities,” said the organisation’s communication Liaison, Tshenolo Leola.
He further explained that the Jeepers were not registered as an NGO.
“We are individuals who identify the needs of communities, NGOs, and schools. We raise funds to meet immediate needs, such as food hampers, clothing, school books, and water boreholes at nursing homes,” said Leola.
He went on to say that he was inspired by Herman Mashaba, a businessman who supported numerous initiatives in Hammanskraal.
“As with other members from that area, I was driven to create my own business, perform outreach initiatives and inspire others.
“Kids should dream beyond their means and that is why we will be paying for the tuition fees of the matriculant when she goes to university next year. We wish her well with her studies.”
Already, other business people are joining hands with the Jeepers, among them Baroka Funerals owner, Marwick Mphahlele.
“I’ve joined hands with the Jeepers and urge other people in business to help grow this initiative. I’m happy to make a difference in the community in which we operate. Together we can do more,” said Mphahlele.
