When the Covid-19 crisis hit and the “safer at home” speech was delivered, a local businessman instantly recognised a need.
Not for himself, but for those whom he foresaw would be most challenged given the circumstances.
Thanks to the generosity of Herbert Puley, founder of Murishaan Enterprise in Progress, Upington, struggling families are receiving food during the lockdown.
The business has been supplying bread to families and businesses since 2018 and is firmly rooted in working to become a national supplier.
Puley, who is a participant of the SAB Tholoana programme, understands the challenges disadvantaged communities are facing during the lockdown and wanted to help those in need.
“Once every week I park my bakkie near a clinic that people in my community already know and expect me to be at. We deliver loaves of bread to them to feed their families and extended loved ones.”
“I see it as giving back to the very people that moulded me into the businessman I am today,” says Puley.
Puley is supported by a team of 16 qualified bakers, confectioners and deliverymen. Though they are equally experiencing unforeseen challenges due to the pandemic, Puley and his employees are adamant at succeeding and helping their community regardless.
He wishes for the outreach to his community to be a daily project because people cannot survive on one to two loaves of bread a week. Puley says it would be better if it could be an daily project, and not just weekly.
“I would love to make it possible to feed my community daily, even adding a bowl of warm soup with the bread would be great.”
Asked if he has any plans on how to achieve that, he says by just doing whatever he can and hoping that someone recognises his good deed and offer more help.
As Puley continues to give back to his Progress community, he urges people to do more and help wherever they can.
“People need to come together in these trying times. The government is doing its share, but this is a unique situation, and everyone must join in.
“If an individual can bridge a gap government is failing to cover, then he needs to do so. Communities need to recognise the needy in their midst and try to support them,” says Puley.
