Gogo Masha receives renovated house
They reconstructed her roof and floor, the electricity and plumbing was redone, the yard was paved, a new security fence was installed and they planted a beautiful garden.
KwaThema – Gogo Kano Maria Masha’s home was filled with joy, singing and praises when she received her newly renovated house from the metro on Thursday.
This was after her house was reduced to ashes five years ago when it caught fire in the middle of the night.
After years of pleading with ward councillors, her pleas were heard and the metro agreed to renovate her house.
They reconstructed her roof and floor, the electricity and plumbing was redone, the yard was paved, a new security fence was installed and they planted a beautiful garden.
Since the damage in 2014, gogo and her grandchildren have been living in the partly dilapidated shadow of her former house.
The story was first published on February 8, 2017, under the headline Gogo reaches out to community for help.
The 67-year-old explained that in July of 2014, while she was sitting in the kitchen with her grandchildren, she smelled plastic burning.
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“We did not realise what was already happening in another part of the house, but within a few minutes, the bedroom where the meter box in the house is situated had caught fire and there was smoke spreading throughout the house,” says gogo Masha.
The pensioner braved the smoke and rushed to another bedroom before it caught fire to fetch her documents and then run out.
By sheer luck, some of her neighbours who saw the blaze ran to help while others called for emergency services to come and assist.
In a follow-up story, last year in February, mayor Mzwandile Masina visited the family and promised her that her house will be prioritised for renovations by the metro.
Out of joy, gogo says she is happy now that she has her home back.
“I used to live in fear that one day I would be sleeping and the house would go up in flames again because I didn’t trust the previous electricity reconnection.
“I would pray for the morning to come and for my grandchildren’s safety while they were sleeping, but today I will be able to sleep in peace and not worry.”
Ward 78 Clr Zanele Nyakale says she appreciates the help of the neighbours who stepped in to help put out the fire when the family called out for help.
“If it wasn’t for their help, we would have lost lives.
“We also appreciate the neighbours who accommodated the family after the incident and during the renovation of the house.
“It is a good thing that the community of Makhaula section are there for one and another,” she says.
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