Kwa-Thema – The family lives in an informal settlement in a one-room shack and cannot provide for their basic needs.
The children lost their mother, who hailed from Swaziland, in 2012, and they do not have the necessary legal documentation, such as birth certificates and IDs, making it difficult for them to find employment.
Ward 74 Clr Thulani Simelane and business stakeholder Plastic Bubbles have committed to helping the family by rebuilding them a proper place. The business further donated clothes and food to the family on June 20.
“We have established three families in the same area that need our help in different ways. All these established households are of children raising themselves after their parents’ passing.
“It is never easy for children to raise themselves, and this is why we are devoted to helping where we can through the help we receive from Clr Simelane,” said Casandra Mouton, the Plastic Bubbles marketing and communication manager.
Simelane expressed sadness, citing that as the ward councillor, it pains him to see young people face poverty, which is why he always goes the extra mile to bring in business people willing to make a difference by helping where they can.
Simelane added that he has worked closely with Mouton and Plastic Bubbles because they have been negotiating with businesses to bring in more people to help build homes for two families in the Ekuthuleni area.
“We are negotiating with different businesses, including Cash Build, to supply us with materials, such as cement, windows, doors, and other necessary equipment.
“We have committed to rebuild two homes in the area. The first family we established needing a home is a family of 12. The second family is a family of two comprising a 16-year-old and her brother, who live off their grant money. The third family is a family of four to which we will donate clothes and food,” added Simelane.
The two families are thrilled by the good coming their way. The oldest of the 12 siblings, Zakithi Hlatshwayao (27), said she is happy to see people who want to help them through their struggles.
“We have lived in poverty ever since my mother passed away. We sometimes go to bed without eating because we do not know where our next meal will come from. We sometimes live off handouts.
“Our shack is not enough for all of us, and on a rainy day, we experience the worst trauma. Our shack has holes, so the roof leaks affect our sleeping arrangement when it rains.
“It is cold these days and even colder inside the shack at night because of the air coming in through the holes,” she said.
Hlatshwayao said having a new home would make them sleep better at night, knowing they have a proper roof over their heads.
“This will furthermore boost our confidence,” she said.
Their neighbour, getting a new home, expressed her gratitude with teary eyes.
“I am happy and excited. Our roof often gets blown away when there is wind, and the door gives us trouble when we have to close it. We do not have the money or the ability to rebuild ourselves a new home.
“I am beyond grateful for the help. I cannot wait to see my brother’s facial expression when I break the news to him,” said Aphelele Mazule (16).
