FINALLY IN A SAFE HOME!

Having a home where you don’t have to worry about leaks during rainy days was something Nokuphiwa Mhlongo had only dreamed about until last Thursday, when she was presented with keys to her brand new house in Mpophomeni, Korea section.

The house, which was built in under three months, was officially handed over to Mhlongo by Vusi Sibiya of Sibiya Funeral Services, uMngeni Municipality Speaker Thulani Mthalane, and Deputy Mayor Nompumelelo Buthelezi. Sibiya had promised to build Mhlongo a new house during Women’s Month in August after he saw the state of her RDP house.

The new dwelling has been built on a piece of municipal land that was vacant in Mthalane’s ward, after negotiations with the municipality.

Mhlongo had previously lived, for some 18 years, in a disintegrating RDP house in Mpophomeni that had been built on a wetland. The house suffered severe leaks under the foundations and the earth around the house was continually soggy, proof that it had been built on a wetland.

Mhlongo added that she couldn’t even buy furniture because everything got damaged. “I had to change the roof twice after it rusted,” she said

The new house has two bedrooms, an open plan living area and a bathroom.

When Mhlongo saw her new house, she burst into tears and then thanked everyone involved in building her home.

She said she had contacted Mthalane after years of trying to find help. When Mthalane saw that the state of the house was not suitable for an elder who also looked after a child he approached Sibiya, who was more than willing to build the house for Mhlongo. “I went to see the house with Sibiya and Deputy Mayor Buthelezi in August, and the very next day Sibiya had already delivered building materials,” said Mthalane. “We are really thankful to Sibiya for his generosity and hard work and for his kindness.”

Sibiya, who was born in Mpophomeni, said the township would always be close to his heart. He added that the house was not yet finished but because unruly elements were starting to steal the uilding materials, they had asked Mhlongo to move in.

“The rest we will finish while she is living here more comfortably in a better house,” he said.

uMngeni Municipality donated groceries and electrical appliances for Mhlongo to use at her new house.