Dream team fix old man’s house

FRIDAY MARCH 31 2017 CHRISTMAS came early for an elderly man from Philippi in Nyanga when his RDP house got a total make-over. Eighty-threeyear-old Monwabisi Tyewu, who lives on his own, said his life was about to change for the better.

“Before, my house was a pigsty. It looked like it could fall apart at any time. No person deserved to live like I did,” he said. He said the house had even affected his health because he was sick all the time.

“I’m a happy old man now because I have a new house I can proudly call my home,” added Tyewu.

The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform said that as part of their Mandela Day programme in 2016, they had decided to offer their assistance after community members requested the department’s intervention.

It partnered with the Department of Correctional Services and a private company, Nedebe Group, to give the house a facelift.

The department’s Kagisho Selebano said there had been an outcry for help for Tyewu from the community.

Deputy Minister Mcebisi Skwatsha said after visiting the old man last year, “we were keen to help”.

Correctional Service provided inmates to do the work and the building material was provided by Nedebe.

Regional Commissioner Delekile Klass said offenders were taught skills for use in the communities where they had offended, and this is what had happened in Philippi with the five inmates who helped.

“We are appealing to communities to welcome (offenders) with open arms when they are out and ask them what skills they were taught inside so they can help,” said Klaas. –