Nkomazi EFF councillor donates fully furnished house to elderly woman

The Ward 11 EFF councillor, Mafia Fane, donated a fully furnished three-room house to an elderly woman on Women’s Day.

Angelina Dlamini (72) had been living alone in a worn-out shack for 10 years. Fane said he was made aware of Gogo Dlamini’s living conditions in January while doing his assessment in the area during the floods that had hit Nkomazi earlier in the year.

“I had just won the councillor of the month award from the EFF, for which the winner receives an amount of R50 000 to spend on any community project of their choice. When I became aware of Gogo Dlamini’s living conditions, it was only fitting that we use the money to help change her situation. While doing my rounds in Ericsville during the damage assessment of the floods, I found her sitting under a tree at around six o’clock in the morning. She told me she had slept under the tree because she was afraid the shack might collapse at any time. She said this was her way of life, as she would usually sleep under the tree whenever there was heavy rain or wind. The shack did not have concrete floors, and she also did not have a bed or any furniture inside. I immediately got involved to see if there was a way in which we could help her as the EFF,” said Fane.

ALSO READ: Ronald Lamola speaks about Jacob Zuma’s release during his visit in Nkomazi

He said that while Dlamini could not qualify for an RDP house, as she does not have a South African ID, as a pan-African organisation, they saw it fit to intervene in her situation, to restore her pride and dignity as a person living in this country.

“The EFF holds a strong opinion that all Africans are legible for economic freedom, regardless of where they are on the African continent. What we have done for Gogo Dlamini is in line with our manifesto, which clearly states that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect. We have managed to rope in assistance from local businessmen who helped to make this dream a reality. We will continue to ensure that she gets taken care of, and not just her, but everyone who is in need of dire help and is unable to work in order to provide for themselves. This is the real ‘touching lives’ programme,” said Fane.

ALSO READ: Bushbuckridge singer makes it into Idols SA 2023 top 12

Dlamini could not hold back her excitement as she thanked the EFF for changing her living conditions for the better.

“I will never forget the sombre expression on his face that day he found me sitting under the tree in the cold. It was a surprise for him, but I was used to it. He has been very hands-on since that day to ensure I was taken care of. He has also organised people from the Expanded Public Works Programme to constantly check in on me to make sure I am alright. I will no longer sleep under the tree whenever there are extreme weather conditions. I will sleep comfortably in a bed from tonight, for which I am utterly grateful,” she said.