Rains leave gogo, minor (8) without proper shelter
GRANT: For Gogo Dlamini, who has no reliable source of income other than a social welfare grant of E540 per month, the elderly woman has no hope of getting her house fixed.
She said she was also struggling to move around and that she could no longer fetch water from the river.
NSANGWINI – The recent rainfall first brought joy in its first two days for many, but as it persists it has brought devastation to some.
One such family is that of Emma Dlamini (87) and her granddaughter (8) who were left without a home.
Dlamini lives around an area known as Mbeka under Nsangwini umphakatsi near Pigg’s Peak. She lives with her granddaughter who is doing Grade II at Mbeka Primary School, not far from their home.
However, the duo has been forced to sleep in their outside kitchen after the house they had been using collapsed due to the recent rainfall.
In Nsangwini, some houses, just like in many parts of Eswatini, are constructed using sticks and mud. During the rainy season, a considerable number of these houses collapse and usually need full renovation or the construction of a new house all together.
For Dlamini, who has no reliable source of income other than a social welfare grant of E540 per month, the elderly woman has no hope of getting her house fixed.
At the time of compiling this report, Dlamini said there had been no means of getting a new house constructed.
Grant
“I will have to wait for my social grant so that I can pay someone to fix it,” said Dlamini. Since the elderly grants are paid quarterly, this means that Dlamini will receive E1 620. Others, who receive the grants via bank accounts, get E540 monthly.
In a conversation with Eswatini News last Tuesday, Dlamini said she was now old to look for work and earn some money so that she could get someone to reconstruct her house. She said she was also struggling to move around and that she could no longer fetch water from the river. Dlamini said at her age, doing physical work was very difficult though she lived with a minor and had no choice.
Dlamini said she lived with her son’s daughter (8), who is said to be employed in the forestry industry. She said he was the only one left to fend for the granddaughter.
Income
When asked if she received any other income from her children, Dlamini’s response was negative.
She also revealed that after the house collapsed, she had to now cook her food in the open. Dlamini said this was a challenge, especially with the nonstop downpour she had been forced to use the kitchen which she also sleeps in.
The house is said to have collapsed around February 2, 2023. Dlamini said it happened during the night when it was raining heavily and she quickly reported it to one of the residents.
Also, she said Nsangwini area is known for snakes due to the tall grass. She said she feared that a snake could slither into the kitchen as they slept.
Recently, a 27-year-old woman was bitten by a black mamba.
It was reported that she later died after consuming a concoction that was given to her, supposedly for treatment.
Meanwhile, Zanele Bhembe, who is a resident of Mbeka and also a psychosocial officer, said the situation was challenging for the elderly woman.
She said the biggest concern now was that she did not have a house to live in. Bhembe said Dlamini’s situation represented many in the community who were also struggling.