GALLERY: Shack burns down – matriculant is left with no books or uniform
ITSUSENG – Seven people are forced to share a two-bedroom shack after fire.
“I am scared I am going to fail my Matric year because all I think about is all the things that I have lost in the fire,” said Esona Mina (18), who lost everything when her shack burned down at Itsuseng Informal Settlement on 5 September.
A fire started in the early hours when Esona was visiting her sister Zukiswa (30) in the same informal settlement. Her neighbours called her at 1am to alert her about the fire.
Esona lost her school books, uniform, furniture, and all her clothing and her two-year-old baby’s clothing as well.
Esona and her baby had to move in with her sister who lives with her husband and her three children. “There are now seven of us living in a two-room shack,” said Zukiswa. She also added that it is very stressful because there is not enough space for all of them to live and sleep there.
Zukiswa is the only person working in her family and has to provide for seven people on a R600 salary per month.
Esona said that she is having a hard time paying attention in school.
Zukiswa and Esona both said that they had informed community leaders to ask for help and nothing has been done since September.
Ward 100 Councillor Malehlohonolo Raphata said, “I have not been informed about the incident.” She also added, “One shack burning down is not a disaster, it is only considered a disaster if it is five or more shacks.”
Esona said that she would appreciate building material for a new shack, some clothes for herself and her baby and some furniture to be donated.
Details: Ward 100 councillor Malehlohonolo Raphata, noniraphata@gmail.com or 071 600 9060; Zukiswa Mina, 073 471 9382;
Esona Mina, 061 043 7648.
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