Potch Stands Together: A Moving Second Vat Verniet Tafel
- Karen Scheepers
- Aug 19
- 3 min read
The Build-Up: Donations and Anticipation
In the days leading up to Saturday, 16 August 2025, the offices of Mooirivier Beskerming no longer looked like offices at all. Boxes, bags and crates of donated goods filled every corner, visible proof of a community opening its heart.
On Friday, 15 August, organisers expressed gratitude to generous contributors like Pieter Bester and Okkie van der Westhuizen, who delivered large quantities of canned food, rice, cooldrinks and other essentials.
“Ons tel nou die minute af,” volunteers shared, busy with the final round of sorting and packing. The sense of expectation was palpable: neighbours knew something meaningful was about to unfold.
The Big Day: Love in Action
By early morning on Saturday, queues had already begun to form outside Mooirivier Beskerming. Families, young and old, waited patiently, and before long the street filled with people. Volunteers in bright spirits welcomed them, directing some to clothing rails, others to the food tables, and many to simple conversations of encouragement.
This second Vat Verniet Tafel proved even bigger than the first. There was more stock to distribute - clothing, shoes, toiletries, children’s toys, and Bibles in different languages and there were more hands to help. Volunteers poured their energy into ensuring the day ran smoothly, often working tirelessly without pause.
At one point the sky darkened, threatening to break open, but only a few drops fell. Then came a rainbow arching over the scene, a striking reminder, organisers said, “dat God self by ons is.”
Tangible Impact
The generosity translated into thousands of small but life-changing moments:
A mother carrying home a bag of food staples.
A child hugging a soft toy that once belonged to another family.
Someone receiving their first Bible.
And many leaving with not only full bags but also a warm, home-cooked meal and the dignity of being cared for.
“Toiletries like shampoo and soap may seem ordinary,” one volunteer noted, “but to someone who hasn’t had access for months, it’s priceless.”
Words of Thanks
Organisers extended heartfelt thanks to every volunteer:
“As dit nie vir julle was nie, sou die Vat Verniet Tafel nooit kon gebeur het nie. Julle is die hande en voete wat die liefde sigbaar gemaak het.”
Community supporters like The Go-To Guy also celebrated the project’s journey from a single idea to a movement of visible impact, affirming:“Baie bly om hierdie projek van daai eerste boodskappie te sien tot waar dit nou is… dit gaan nog baie groei.”
To this, the organisers warmly replied:
“The Go-To Guy baie dankie, en dankie oom vir die hulp met die bewusmaking van die projek van julle kant af.”
Looking Ahead
The Vat Verniet Tafel is no longer just an event; it has become a Potchefstroom tradition of compassion. The vision is clear, this is only the beginning, and each future table promises to reach more people and multiply hope.
From food parcels and shoes to warm smiles and prayer, every contribution mattered. Potchefstroom once again showed that a community’s strength lies in how it uplifts its most vulnerable. The second Vat Verniet Tafel was not just about giving away goods, it was about restoring dignity, creating connection, and making God’s love visible in practical ways.
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