RUSTENBURG – The Gift of the Givers distributed food parcels to mineworkers at Amplats's Khomanani shaft in Rustenburg on Wednesday.

Women ululated and men whistled when a truck carrying food arrived.

About 1 000 people stood in a queue under trees singing struggle songs, waiting for the charity organisation's staff to offload food parcels and clothes from the truck.

Gift of the Givers spokesperson Emily Thomas said the distribution coincided with World Hunger Day.

"Food parcels have been prepared for 700 families, clothing packs and blankets for 1 000 families," she said.

"Two thousand people received a meal of bread and tinned food, high energy and protein supplements for 300 people, and diapers were handed out to mothers."

Alfred Mcube said he was happy to have food.

"I have not been able to buy food. I do not have money," he said.

Despite his situation, he would only go back to work when he was paid a basic salary of R12 500 a month.

"R12,500 or nothing. My forefathers were underpaid and me too, I am in the same situation. The cycle needs to be broken," he said.

Members of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union at Lonmin, Impala Platinum, and Anglo American Platinum downed tools on January 23 demanding a basic salary of R12 500 a month.

They rejected the companies' offer that would bring their cash remuneration to R12 500 by July 2017.

Another 200 mineworkers were given food parcels at Amplats's Bathopele mine.

The food parcel consists of 2 kg of rice, 1 kg of sugar, 2.5 kg maize meal, tinned food, vegetables, 750 ml of cooking oil, salt, and bread.

Thomas said they handed 1 250 food parcels to mineworkers at Amplats's Tumela and Dishaba mines in Limpopo on Monday.

She said they had spent R3-million so far on providing food, clothing packs, blankets, high energy and protein supplements, nappies and medical assistance.