Gogo reaches out to community for help
KwaThema - For close to three years, gogo Kano Maria Masha (67) has patiently waited for help, after parts of her home burnt down.
But she still finds herself living in the partly dilapidated structures as the local office has failed to assist her.
The pensioner says all she hopes for now is for the community or government departments to help fix the leaking and destroyed roof, ceiling, walls, doors and windows.
“In July of 2014 while I was sitting in the kitchen of my home with my granddaughter, she started smelling plastic burning.
Read: Gogo’s belongings destroyed in fire
“We did not realise what was already happening in another part of the house.
“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 take 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.
The speedy response of all parties involved, managed to contain the fire, which only ended up destroying two bedrooms, the dining room and sitting room.
“I was so grateful that no one was injured and I thank God for that.
“In the hope of getting more assistance, I went to the local office numerous times and though I was promised help, the only thing that happened was that part of the house’s electricity was reconnected.
“Since most items in the four rooms were also destroyed, some individuals from the community assisted with clothing and food,” gogo Masha says.
Read: Residents take action
She is pinning her hopes on the community and other government departments to help her.
What she currently needs help with the most is fixing the roof which is still leaking, while the electricity only works in half of the home.
She also still has burnt logs in between the roof and ceilings, black walls, broken windows, burnt doors and has not managed to replace most of the destroyed furniture.
A media query has been sent to the Ekurhuleni Metro but comment had not been received at the time of publishing.
Anyone who can assist gogo Masha can contact her on 062 115 5176.
