A family of 10 from Madras village in Marite heaved a sigh of relief when they were ushered into their newly built and fully furnished house.
The MEC for human settlements, Speedy Mashilo, and the MEC for social development, Lindiwe Ntshalintshali, officially handed over the business-sponsored house to the Nkuna family on Wednesday June 28.
The family was identified by a community member and caught the media’s attention late last year, which prompted government to mobilise sponsorship.
Upon learning of their living conditions, Mashilo collaborated with Sizampilo Projects and Phutimatt Foundation.
Sizampilo’s representative, Simphiwe Twala, said they could not sit back and do nothing.
“The living conditions of the family were unacceptable, so we had to intervene and help. We are proud as Sizampilo and to be working with the government. This family’s dignity was restored today,” she said.
Receiving the house on behalf of her family, an overjoyed Sibongile Nkuna expressed her gratitude by thanking the government and the good Samaritans for building a beautiful house for them.
“It is sad that we are moving into our new house today without our mother who is in hospital. I hope that this good news will heal our mom so that she comes back to a warm home.”
She said during the rainy season the children could not go to school because their books and uniforms would get wet.
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“Now that we have a proper house, all I want is to focus on completing my matric and have a qualification so that I can give my family a decent life,” Nkuna said.
Mashilo thanked the sponsors and all other stakeholders for their roles in making it possible for the family to have a decent house.
“I want to applaud the sponsors for going the extra mile by installing a geyser and a water storage tank for the family. This shows how passionate and committed you are when doing your work and we want such contractors as the government.”
He said that given the size of the family, the sponsors constructed a 60-square metre house with three bedrooms.
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The Department of Social Development assisted with social grant registration, and donating food parcels and blankets.
“I am so happy for the family, that they now have a proper house which they can call a home,” Ntshalintshali said.
She urged more business people to partner with the government to fight poverty in various communities.
