Young family in dire straits
“This family doesn't need money; they need basic items to make their lives better”
A young lad loitering during school hours roused Nzuzo Sithole’s concerns. The Tugela Ferry resident was prompted to call the boy aside and ask why he was not attending school. The boy said he had no school shoes, but his sister was meant to buy him a pair that day.
After a second and third sighting of the teenager during school hours, Sithole suspected there was another reason. It was after questioning the 16-year-old that he discovered the boy was orphaned (having lost his mother in 2019) and shared a two-roomed home with six others.
Confiding in Sithole, the young man said that an elder sister (who was appointed as guardian) had left and was allegedly collecting their child support grant, without any benefits going their way.
“I went to the house and found their situation to be very challenging. There is no food and no electricity – they basically have nothing,” Sithole says.
The family of six, that has had no steady income since 2019, told Sithole that the Department of Social Development was aware of their plight and they received food parcels ‘once in a while’.
The family’s heartbreaking living conditions led Sithole to call on assistance from his social media followers. Within 24 hours, R4500 was raised and essential groceries were purchased.
However, the family needs more support and donations. Food, as well as clothing (including school items), is needed. The family consists of four females aged 1, 4, 18 and 21; and two males aged 5 and 16.
Sithole hopes that assistance from locals, as well as Social Development and the local municipality (which he has alerted to their plight), will get the family on their feet.
“I want to see this child back at school, as he is a brilliant boy. This family doesn’t need money; they need basic items to make their lives better,” said Sithole.
If you can assist in any way, please call Sithole on 072 908 8969.
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