Post office overwhelmed by Santa letters

Sbongile Dimbaza WEEKEND POST REPORTER dimbazas@avusa.co.za

THEY could be forgiven for not knowing how to spell his surname, but Santa Claus is still the fellow children hope will make their dreams come true.

Each year the South African Post Office gets thousands of letters from children who believe their outrageous gift requests will come true.

Letters sent to post offices around the country from children who addressed them to Santa Claus are kept at Tshwane Mail in Pretoria.

Post Office SA spokesman Johan Kruger said youngsters who write to him often open their hearts and divulge intimate details about their family and friends.

In one letter, Julia Mpisi, 9, from Queenstown writes: “Hi Santa Clos. My frend Thuli died and now I don have anyone to play with. Can you bring me a new frend and lots of toys.”

Lance K, from the Eastern Cape, kept things simple by telling Santa: “I love you. Iv been good.”

Cellphones and toys – especially Barbie dolls and bicycles – are the most popular gift requests.

Many children also include illustrations of the items they have their heart set on.

“Most children take trouble to point out that they were good all year round, and they mention the sins they refrained from committing.”

Kruger said among this year‘s most touching requests was one from Pretoria girl Mathabo Bogosing, who implored Father Christmas to come to the children‘s home where she lives and bring her a teddy bear: “And please can you find me my own mummy,” she added.

Kruger said the letters were opened and as many as possible answered on his behalf.

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