In spite of pleas for help, a little girl from Jumpers informal settlement still can’t go to school

Pretty Mangwane (7) from Jumpers informal settlement still plays at home while her peers are at school as she does not have a birth certificate.

Her story was featured on the front page of the Express and a plea was sent out to the community for any donation or assistance to help the girl get to school, but she still walks up and down the informal settlement during school hours as she has not received any help. Mangwane said she would like to go to school so that she can have a job one day.

The girl’s mother, Khungeka, left her with her father in 2010 after she allegedly went gambling and never returned home. Her guardian, Elisabeth Noosi said since the story appeared in the Express, Pretty has received some clothes and Noosi has been promised a part-time job. Noosi added that life is difficult as she has no job.

“I wish I could get a full-time job so that I can support Mangwane and myself,” Noosi said.

She said they had been to the Department of Home Affairs to try and solve the birth certificate crisis out so Mangwane could go to school. “Nothing seems to be positive. Home affairs said they need a paternity test to prove that Sydney Mthombeni is Pretty’s father, or at least Khungeka’s relatives. The DNA costs R1 500 and we cannot afford that money as we are both unemployed. We can’t afford anything and, as a result, the girl can’t benefit from a social grant,” said Noosi.

The Express contacted a social worker, who cannot be named, who told the Express they cannot help the seven-year-old financially as they don’t help their clients with money at all. Another social worker from child welfare, who also cannot be named, said they have written a letter to Mangwane’s father to take to the Cleveland Police Station.

Details: Anyone willing to assist the family with donations can contact Nomphelo Zozo or Ward 118 councillor Neuren Pietersen 083 326 3693.

Also read: Help Pretty’s dream come true