Community rallies to help after Border star’s mother dies
Online appeal moves volunteers to assist teenager
AFACEBOOK appeal to the public to help destitute Border rugby teen star Zingaphi Mjikwa, whose mother died while she was on tour, has evoked a strong response.
Border women’s rugby coordinator Mandisa Williams posted the appeal on Tuesday after the 16-yearold’s mother, Nosiphiwo, died while Zingaphi was playing for Border at a tournament in George.
Nosiphiwo, 41, had been three months.
Zingaphi, who is from Ntlaza village in Mthatha, came home to the devastating news.
Williams said the most important things in Zingaphi’s life were her mom, rugby and her studies.
She said Zingaphi had wanted to give up her Border games to be with her mom, but Mjikwa had insisted she would be fine and encouraged her daughter to go to the games.
Williams posted a photograph of the Mjikwas’ mud home after Zing told her rugby managers about her mother’s death.
Williams described Zingaphi sweet, humble and respectful. ill for as
She said: “We had to do something to help the girl.
“We can only do so much, we approached the public.
“We knew that she came from a poor background, but we didn’t know that the situation was dire. We were all very shocked to learn that her home was like that.”
SA rugby executive council member Monde Tabata said he saw the post on Tuesday night and was moved to intervene.
“I am still looking at sustainable ways to help her beyond the funeral of her mother,” Tabata said.
“She’s still very young and has a bright future ahead of her. We need to make sure that she goes through school, lives in a comfortable home and plays rugby.
“For now, we have to ensure that her mother gets a decent sendoff and she needs to get counselling,” said Tabata.
Provincial department of human settlements spokesman Lwandile Sicwetsha also responded to the Facebook appeal.
Sicwetsha said the department would dispatch a team to do an assessment.
“We have the Destitute and Vulnerable Groups programme that responds to cases like this.
“Officials are sent to assess the situation.
“The programme prioritises the elderly, child-headed homes and the disabled,” he said.
People have offered to help with clothing, and others committed to hence buy building home.
Mpho Nefura reacted: “I will buy 10 000 bricks.”
Smhutu Knylo, who also tagged her other friends to the post to help, wrote: “Ten bags of cement – I’m pledging.”
Williams said anyone who wanted to contribute could call (043) 7435998 or e-mail — materials for the