Eldorado Park-based organisation, PUSH Drop-in Centre partnered with Soldiers for Jesus Ministries (SJM) to provide seven deserving families with what they can now call homes on Mandela Day, July 18.
This was a joyful moment that left a mark in the hearts of the beneficiaries like Joyce Taunyane, Patience Cengimbo, Mampho Ramorara and Jeanette van der Merwe, who received the keys to their new homes.
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Van der Merwe said she was extremely emotional. Her eyes were filled with tears of joy as she wrote a letter of gratitude to PUSH as a token of appreciation.
She said her old shack was a one-room and she had to send some of her children away to live with relatives due to limited space.
“The space in my new home is enough, now I will be able to have all my children under one roof,” said van der Merwe.
Taunyane said she did not know where to turn for help when she lost everything after her shack burned down.
She was referred to PUSH by Lindeka Nqeketho, a known community leader in the area.
Thankful to have a roof over her head again, Taunyane said no amount of money could buy her word of gratitude (thank you).
“I am really happy and will take good care of my new home,” she said.
The Public Relations Officer for PUSH Makeiso Machetele told Soweto Urban that the project dubbed the Mandela Day Housing Project was initiated in 2020.
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She said the first beneficiary was Romaine Williams who lived in a dilapidated shack that was built on a wet land.
Williams and her children received a new shack that was built during the project launch four years ago, on Mandela Day.
Through the project, PUSH and SJM have been able to assist a total of 33 families in the community to own homes.
“PUSH would like to thank SJM for making the Mandela Day Housing Project a success,” she continued.
We would also like to thank community leaders of Ward 17, Lihle Qwabe, CoJ Social Development, Christopher Jacobs and Thokozani Dubazana from the Housing Department for celebrating this day with us,” noted Machetele.
