While other residents at KwaThema’s Extension Three Emavageni Section were enjoying themselves welcoming the spring season on Saturday, the Soyikwa family watched as their home was destroyed by angry flames.
Nontlupheko Soyikwa (91) who lives with her two grandchildren, was outside her four-roomed shack when she saw the smoke in her yard.
She explained that she did not think that the smoke was from inside her shack.
“I went in front of my shack to see what was going on and I was shocked to realise that the smoke was actually coming from my shack,” said a tearful Soyikwa.
She added that she shouted for help while the other neighbours were already on the way to assist her.
However, the attempts by the neighbours to fight the fire were all in vain as the blaze was more powerful and destroyed everything inside the shack including the Grade Eight learner’s school uniform, his books and gogo Soyikwa’s ID book.
The family now depends on the mercy of their relatives for food and a place to live.
“I do not know how I am going to rebuild my home as the only source of income in this family is my pension grant,” said Soyikwa.
One of the neighbours who rushed to Soyikwa’s home to assist, Mthobeli Gawula, confirmed that everything that was inside the shack was destroyed as the evil flames were uncontrollable.
“We tried our best but could to help gogo Soyikwa,” he said.
He then appealed for help to the residents and business owners to donate building material to the family so that they can be rebuild their home.
“If the family gets the donation, the neighbours vowed to assist to rebuild gogo Soyikwa’s home,” said Gawula.
No-one knows at this stage what the cause of the fire was.
