Grammy winner shows tornado victims love

SINGER and songwriter Nomcebo Zikode, with the Nomcebo Zikode Foundation, assisted the victims of the Tongaat tornado this week.

The Grammy-award winner said she wanted to help those in dire situations due to the disaster.

She told the Daily Sun that it feels humbling to be able to participate in such initiatives.

The KZN people lost their homes on Monday, 3 June, after a tornado hit Tongaat in KZN.

The Joburg-based musician said as much as she hasn't lost her homestead, she relates to their struggle, as she also comes from humble beginnings.

The Jerusalema hitmaker said it was great to be able to help, and she's thankful that her foundation was able to assist on Wednesday, 13 June.

The musician said they visited uThongathi (Tongaat) to donate winter blankets and food parcels to the victims.

She said the current living conditions of the people of Tongaat touched her.

Nomcebo stated that the foundation pledged to continuously engage with the affected communities and intends to keep participating in initiatives that foster positive outcomes for the disadvantaged.

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The musician said the foundation was founded in 2021 to help disadvantaged women, children, the elderly, and those in the creative arts sector.

"Above all, I realised that life is a very precious thing and that we are not in control. This disaster couldn't have been prevented by anyone you know?

"It is therefore important to appreciate what you have. And to show gratitude for the gift of life, the privilege of shelter, food, and security," she said.

The musician said the site visit was important because it reminded her of the reality of South Africans.

"We tend to disregard the issue of poverty because it is so common to us, but it is such a disadvantage to our people. Unfortunately, the already-less-privileged have lost their homesteads like this," she said.

Nomcebo said the foundation shares the same sentiments and continues fostering engagements for the benefit of the underprivileged.

She said they have a big announcement coming soon.

"It was very heartwarming to see people smile from my presence, even if it was for a moment. I hope they get to rebuild their lives from this," she said.