The MEC’s visit was to hear about the KwaThema hostel residents’ challenges while also distributing food parcels to more than 1 800 residents in that hostel.
Mazibuko also toured the hostel, listening to different problems faced by residents to find solutions for them.
Room Four in block C was fortunate to be one of the rooms visited by the MEC.
Unemployed Nobathembu Bharayi (40) who is looking after her disabled two-year-old grandchild, Imange Bharayi told the MEC about her misery.
She explained to the MEC that Imange was not born with a disability but has been forced to use a children’s walking ring after she suffered severe seizures at a year old which left her unable to walk.
“She spent a month at Pholosong Hospital and was discharged after the doctors confirmed that she could not walk again,” says Bharayi holding back tears.
She continues to say after her visit to KwaThema Sassa office to get help to register Imange for the dependency grant, she did not receive help, but was told that Imange does not qualify to receive this kind of government grant.
The MEC promised to get help for Bharayi.
She also promised residents that she would see to the renovatation of one of the halls in the hostel which will be turned into a crèche to accommodate children under the age of five years living in the hostel.
Mazibuko promised to visit the hostel again on June 10 with different government departments including Sassa and the National Youth Development Agency.
Speaking on behalf of hostel residents senior hostel caretaker, Mthakathi Gabela says they appreciate the donation and are happy about the MEC’s promises to them.
He then proposed to have a relationship with the department of social development.
“Sometimes we encounter problems of abandoned children inside the hostel premises and do not know where to take them except calling the police,” says Gabela.
