‘I wish my president can visit my home’ Soweto elderly woman
As a result, three hernias bulging out of her lower abdomen, which she was never compensated for after the hospital found no negligence.
For 58-year-old Maggie Masoabi, nothing is worth celebrating as a woman in South Africa.
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This is as the country wraps up Women’s Month in which she describes to have been a rocky road filled with much despair.
“The South African government has failed me as a woman. There is so much suffering while government officials sit in offices,” an emotional Masoabi told Urban News.
The Sowetan grandmother who formed part of the 1976 student uprising shared that their fight was for the betterment of the country but never would she have imagined her immense suffering in a democratic South Africa.
She has a botched operation from 2013 which left her with massive complications. As a result, three hernias bulging out of her lower abdomen, which she was never compensated for after the hospital found no negligence.
A horror which torments her and continues to affect her daily health.
She shares her home with five grandchildren, three of whom do not have birth certificates.
Their mother, her 32 year-old daughter who battles drug addiction, receives grant money for two children which she use to maintain her drug habit.
“It has been a long 13 years making sure that my grandchildren’s needs are met but it’s been tough.
“These children are hurting and their mother does not care. She has neglected them and I couldn’t just stand by and watch,” she said.
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According to the Dube resident, she has tried getting assistance for her daughter – all of which were unsuccessful. Her biggest concern, she said, was getting birth certificates for her three grandchildren in order to apply for social grant.
“Social workers are dragging their feet while she smokes this money. I am the one who has to make sure that my grandchildren have clothes, and food. It’s all on my shoulders,” a distressed Masoabi said.
“The existing grant card should be blocked to deny her access and the money directed to me as the guardian because it will go a long way for these kids. I wish before I die, my three grandchildren get their birth certificates.”
Masoabi solely depends on her monthly disability grant of R1800, due to her operation, which she said was too little to cover their basic needs and get them through the month as she is the only one earning an income.
She explains that she has been without electricity for nine years which has meant using some of the grocery money to refill her gas tank, purchase candles, wood and pay off debts.
The cable leading from the mini box sub to her home has been cut.
“My mother, on her death bed, sometimes had to be bathed with cold water. She died without getting any help from Eskom,” She said.
“Last month we marked nine years without electricity.
“The only house in Mncube Drive in the dark and we don’t know why because we have not been informed…even worse, in my condition I have to wash the children’s laundry with cold water, every day because they have no one else.”
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She said she wished that her plea would be seriously considered and government officials clean up their act and deliver on their promises.
“I wish my president can visit my home, so he can really see my suffering. Who am I in SA and in this government? No one is hearing our voices.
“Today I am suffering at every angle and I have not found answers for what I have gone through. I’ve been caring for these kids for years and now they want to take them.
“This is their home,” she lamented, referring to a recent meeting with social services. “There is no peace for me and these children,” She concluded.
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