Early Christmas in the DRC

First, Santa Clause dropped in early in Swakopmund’s shanty town DRC, late last month; and soon the town’s Mayor, Germina Shitaleni, will throw a Christmas party for the children next week.

Obviously, Christmas 2009 came early for the children of Swakopmund.At noon on October 26, the small DRC community was stunned when they saw a sturdy man in a red outfit and big white beard float down to them with a parachute.As he came closer to the ground, the children recognised him as ‘Father Krismis’ and bands of children from every quarter sprinted to the anticipated place of touchdown.Although he was transported by a parachute, and not a sleigh of reindeer, and arrived in the middle of the day, unlike at midnight, Santa Clause (aka John Wheeling) was faithfully rewarded the celebrity of his act by the surprise of the kids – some clearly astonished at Santa’s early arrival.Wheeling, the father of three pre-primary children in Swakopmund, decided he wanted to give the disadvantaged kids of the DRC an early Christmas present.With the help of other parents and their children, he managed to collect enough old toys to stuff a bag full, from which he then distributed the wrapped presents – typically Santa.’This was a great time for privileged children to clean out their old toys and donate them to a good cause. The intent was to provide gifts of these toys for the underprivileged in the DRC; not just to get rid of old junk; that’s why the toys we collected were still in a decent condition,’ Wheeling said.While these children are still winding down from the excitement, another early Christmas present is awaiting the disadvantaged children of Swakopmund next Friday on November 20.Mayor Shitaleni will be hosting a christmas party for children at the Central Sport Grounds in Vineta. This specific event was initially launched by Namibia’s Presidential office and was known as the President’s Children’s Christmas Party. Now it will continue under the leadership of Shitaleni, and as directed by President Hifikepunye Pohamba, the event will now be called the ‘Mayor’s Children Christmas Party’. According to Shitaleni, the festivity will be held predominantly, but not exclusively, for the town’s most vulnerable children, aged between five and 10 years.’Christmas is very special in our community since it is the birthday of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Celebrated in various ways, for some it is call for merrymaking and for others it is a time for quiet introspection. However, generally, it also is a time for caring and it is important that we do not lose sight of the dreams of our children,’ Shitaleni said.It is hoped that 5 000 children will attend the party and maybe receive ‘a tiny gift bag’. The event is likely to run for the whole morning and the young crowd will entertain themselves with Christmas carols and other activities.