Couple who lived under bridge tell of housing plight
LENNY and Saras Govender said they have experienced poverty in the worst way.
They have lived under a bridge at Blue Lagoon and slept on cardboard boxes with their two young children and granddaughter.
Eight years ago, they moved to Welbedacht and are now living in a cramped onebedroom tin house.
The family are hoping their fortunes will turn around and they will become the recipients of an RDP home. But only time will tell. “We were renting a home in Phoenix. I worked doing maintenance and heavy labour for various businesses.
“However, after I was knocked in an accident, I injured my back and have been unable to work,” said Lenny.
The 50-year-old said they had been unable to pay their rent and moved into a church, which ran a shelter.
After living at the church for a few months, they had moved out and built a tin house on a vacant plot of land in Unit 6, Phoenix.
“We stayed there for a while, but due to it being an illegal structure, the house was demolished by the municipality.”
With nowhere to go, the family found themselves living at Blue Lagoon.
Govender’s wife Saras said: “My now neighbour, Hagashni Munsami, and her family were selling stickers at the Blue Lagoon when they saw us.
“They told us to come to Welbedacht with them and we could build a tin house behind their home.
“We agreed because it was a step forward. We did not have to sleep on cardboard boxes any more in the bitter cold.”
She said although they now had a proper bed to sleep on, they are without water, electricity and bathroom facilities.
“Every day we go around asking neighbours for water and to allow us to use their homes to bath and go to the toilet.
“They are kind enough to help us.”
The 44-year-old said that in order to put food on the table, she sold sticker books on Fridays and Saturdays in Merebank.
“I don’t make much, but we try our best to manage with what we have.
“Lenny also plants cabbages to help feed our family.”
Saras, who has three older children who live on their own, said she took care of one of her seven grandchildren.
“We care for her using a child support grant.”
The couple say they are desperately in need of help.