Ngwenya family living in abject poverty in Ethembeni Informal Settlement

Ms Lillian Ngwenya and her grandson, Lindokuhle Ngwenya, are one of many households living in abject poverty in Wesselton.

The 67-year-old grandmother has to make do with only the social grant money that she and her grandson receive to survive the month.

A resident of Ethembeni Informal Settlement, she relies on neighbours for daily needs as she is also physically struggling because of knee problems.

Ms Ngwenya takes care of her grandson, Lindokuhle, who has special needs, and does everything for him and two grandchildren who are still in school.

The parents of the grandchildren have passed away.

24-year-old Lindokuhle is bedridden and has been confined to bed since birth. “I have no idea what plagues Lindokuhle besides the fact that he does not speak, cannot walk and I have to feed, bath and clothe him,” Ms Ngwenya said.

No diagnose is forthcoming as to what is wrong with Lindokuhle and it is highly unlikely that he will be diagnosed soon as there is no money for healthcare or transport to visit a public healthcare facility.

Due to a lack of funds, Ms Ngwenya uses cloth to use as makeshift diapers so Lindokuhle does not defecate on himself.

With just a two room log house for shelter, this household survives under difficult circumstances.

With her own weakening state, Ms Ngwenya can no longer travel to fetch her and Lindokuhle’s disability grant money and relies on neighbours to fetch the money and buy basic groceries for the house.

Ms Ngwenya sources firewood on the streets of Wesselton to make fire in the small coal stove to ward off the cold.

“I walk around looking for firewood with neighbours having to help me to carry it. It is a risk to make the fire as my whole house is an informal structure made out of logs and cardboard and can catch fire anytime.”

Summers are as problematic as winters for the Ngwenya family with their small structure not able to withstand the rain.

With no basic services like water, electricity and housing, Ms Ngwenya cannot attend community meetings to plead her case as she cannot leave the vicinity of the house with her weakened legs and leaving Lindokuhle behind.

“We are greatful for any help that we can get. However, we are in desperate need of a house, healthcare, a wheelchair and disposable diapers for Lindokuhle.”

Ms Ngwenya has written a letter to the Department of Social Development to assist in her plight and she is still waiting for feedback from the department.

Until Ms Ngwenya gets the help she needs, she will continue to amble around the dusty streets of Ethembeni to look for firewood to keep her family of four warm this winter.

“The Lord does not give anyone what he or she cannot handle, we will continue to survive,” Ms Ngwenya concluded.

Any donations to the Ngwenya family can be dropped off at the Highvelder offices at 4 Murray St, Ermelo.