Latest news with #Wimble
The Citizen
09-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Umhlanga woman makes family feel at ‘home' with hearty donation
A STORY of compassion, courage, and faith is unfolding — one that proves how a single act of kindness can transform lives. At the heart of it is Lea Wimble, a conveyancing attorney and owner of Wimble Attorneys, whose small firm is making a big impact on the lives of Ncebakazi and Aliza Dotwana. Also read: Somerset Park homeowners' association name best verge in area Two years ago the Northglen News published a story about the Dotwanas who came from the Eastern Cape to Durban to get treatment for Aliza, who was two years old at the time. She was born with congenital glaucoma and is blind and deaf. Wimble and Dotwana's paths crossed with a simple Facebook post. Occupational therapist Caitlin Waters shared Aliza's story. The post explained the financial challenges her mother faced trying to get her daughter into a special needs school. Wimble saw the post and quietly stepped in, covering Aliza's school fees anonymously. But their story doesn't end there. Wimble has always believed that her business should be a blessing to its community. In 2019, she turned that belief into action by launching The Gifted Project, a heartfelt outreach initiative with a bold mission: to donate a property to someone in need every year. So far, two families have received homes — but the latest chapter might be the most moving of all. Eventually Wimble met the Dotwanas in person at one of Aliza's birthday parties at school, but soon after life took a turn – the Dotwanas had to leave Durban and return to the Eastern Cape due to lack of support and secure housing. 'The school had stopped invoicing me for Aliza's fees. I didn't think to question what had happened at the time. I learnt that they had returned to the Eastern Cape suddenly and I left it at that,' she said. A full year passed. Then one Sunday in September 2024, while at church, Wimble said she felt a sudden nudge during a sermon about King David and helping your neighbours. 'I felt the Lord say, 'What about the little girl that used to sit at your table? Where is she?'' Wimble recalled. Also read: Alert neighbour and team work applauded in arrest of Greenwood Park burglars She reached out to the occupational therapist again and learnt that the Dotwanas had indeed moved away. This time she probed further and got contact details for Dotwana. 'I called Ncebakazi and that's when it all made sense,' said Wimble. 'Ncebakazi told me she had to leave Durban as she needed a place to stay, so returning to her family home in the Eastern Cape was the only choice she had at the time. I realised that God had chosen Ncebakazi as our next beneficiary for the Gifted Project. We worked on getting her back to Durban so Aliza could start school again and we could find them a home,' she added. That October, Wimble found a property that felt right, but the offer wasn't accepted. Then in February on Valentine's Day, the estate agent called. That same property was back on the market. This time, it was meant to be. Now in the process of transferring the home into Dotwana's name, the property will offer more than shelter, it's a lifeline. With two children, Dotwana will live on one side and rent out the other to supplement her income. Just last week, Huizemark Apex donated R50 000 to support the project. More people are getting involved. 'When I received the call from Lea, my words to her were, 'I didn't know God could touch my heart like that,'' said Dotwana. 'When I had to leave Durban, I didn't think anyone would follow up as I left so suddenly. I was under so much pressure, I couldn't even ask for help. Hearing from Lea months later was unexpected and life-changing. Now I know God sees me,' she said. 'I never thought I would be getting my own home. I didn't even think that someone would come forward and pay Aliza's fees as it's so expensive, but the blessings keep coming and I am so grateful to Lea and everyone involved,' added Dotwana. Despite the difficulties of Aliza's care needs and the weight of single motherhood, Dotwana remains hopeful. She's studying part-time through UNISA with NSFAS funding, determined to build a better future for her family. Wimble, too, is deeply moved by the journey. 'We're a business of just four people, but if every person or business asked, 'What can I do to help?' the world would change. Sometimes it just takes listening to the still, small voice that nudges us.' For Wimble, the greatest reward is seeing someone feel seen, valued, and loved. 'We want to build something that is bigger than just ourselves,' she said. 'We want to be part of building something that will outlast us.' For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook , X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Reform councillor promises no quick fixes
A newly-elected Reform UK councillor in Kent has said the party is "not going to fix all the problems straight away". The party secured a majority of 45 seats on Kent County Council at the local election on Friday, all but wiping the Conservatives off the political map at the authority. David Wimble, who was elected councillor for Romney Marsh with 64% of the vote, said: "We need to be realistic about what we can and can't do." Appearing on Politics South East, he said: "I think the biggest worry is that they will expect to go in and make changes straight away and all of the panel here today know that's just not possible." He added: "Somebody stopped me today and said 'when are you going to stop the boats then?'. This is the county council." Some Reform UK leaflets delivered in Kent did feature national party messaging, including a pledge to "stop the boats". When challenged about this promise, Mr Wimble said he focused his campaign purely on local issues and on "the things that we can do". The new councillor sought to temper expectations, emphasising that the new cohort would need time to get up and running. He said: "People are saying 'what are you going to do on day one?'. "Well, it's not easy to do anything as a snap decision. Our party is made up of 57 new members, of those 57, I think six of us have had previous political experience." Mr Wimble rejected concerns over lack of experience. "All the [candidates] that have been elected have got experience of running their own businesses," he said. "They've had the problems of paying the wages at the end of the month. They've got the problems with the rates and council tax and things like that." Meanwhile, the outgoing Conservative leader of the council, Roger Gough, urged Reform UK to take the issues facing the authority "seriously". Speaking directly to Mr Wimble, Mr Gough said: "The county is now in your hands. What I would say is, please take the issues on that seriously. "Because ultimately, issues like equality and diversity, climate change, they are tiny amounts of expenditure in the context of the council compared with the really big issues – adult social care, children's social services, special educational needs – those are the things that any successful council is going to have to grapple with. "That's going to be the way to build a secure future for the county and the council." Mr Wimble said the party "takes it all very seriously". The local Reform UK party will meet this week to vote for a council leader. Mr Wimble has thrown his hat in the ring and said he would like to share the position with another councillor. The new leadership would be in place by "next weekend", he added. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Reform wins control in Kent after Tory wipeout Kent County Council
BBC News
04-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Kent: Reform UK urges realism on 'what we can and can't do'
A newly-elected Reform UK councillor in Kent has said the party is "not going to fix all the problems straight away".The party secured a majority of 45 seats on Kent County Council at the local election on Friday, all but wiping the Conservatives off the political map at the authority. David Wimble, who was elected councillor for Romney Marsh with 64% of the vote, said: "We need to be realistic about what we can and can't do."Appearing on Politics South East, he said: "I think the biggest worry is that they will expect to go in and make changes straight away and all of the panel here today know that's just not possible." He added: "Somebody stopped me today and said 'when are you going to stop the boats then?'. This is the county council."Some Reform UK leaflets delivered in Kent did feature national party messaging, including a pledge to "stop the boats".When challenged about this promise, Mr Wimble said he focused his campaign purely on local issues and on "the things that we can do".The new councillor sought to temper expectations, emphasising that the new cohort would need time to get up and said: "People are saying 'what are you going to do on day one?'."Well, it's not easy to do anything as a snap decision. Our party is made up of 57 new members, of those 57, I think six of us have had previous political experience."Mr Wimble rejected concerns over lack of experience."All the [candidates] that have been elected have got experience of running their own businesses," he said."They've had the problems of paying the wages at the end of the month. They've got the problems with the rates and council tax and things like that."Meanwhile, the outgoing Conservative leader of the council, Roger Gough, urged Reform UK to take the issues facing the authority "seriously".Speaking directly to Mr Wimble, Mr Gough said: "The county is now in your hands. What I would say is, please take the issues on that seriously."Because ultimately, issues like equality and diversity, climate change, they are tiny amounts of expenditure in the context of the council compared with the really big issues – adult social care, children's social services, special educational needs – those are the things that any successful council is going to have to grapple with."That's going to be the way to build a secure future for the county and the council."Mr Wimble said the party "takes it all very seriously".The local Reform UK party will meet this week to vote for a council leader. Mr Wimble has thrown his hat in the ring and said he would like to share the position with another new leadership would be in place by "next weekend", he added.
