Gogo Nomusombluko all on her own in Ecwebezela, Wesselton
Born on the farms of Morgenzon, she has no form of education and has worked on the farms most her young life.
Gogo Nomusombluko Makhubu is all on her own.
The 57-year-old looks older than her age with years of suffering etched on her face.
Born on the farms of Morgenzon, she has no form of education and has worked on the farms most her young life.
“Throughout the years I was a farm worker, we used to work planting mealies (corn).
“We planted them, took care of them and harvested them for our employer,” Gogo said.
She moved from Morgenzon to Ermelo in 1994, the first year of democracy.
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Gogo Nomusombluko rented a one room in Wesselton and looked for employment as a maid.
However, tragedy struck when she had a stroke that left the whole of her left side paralysed.
“My hand is of no use to me and my leg gives me problems, especially in winter.”
With such a disability, she is unable to work to fend for herself and relies on her disability grant to make ends meet.
Being alone and disabled means relying on other people so she instructs a boy in her street to go fetch her disability grant, meaning she is enclosed in her government house for days on end.
“A boy I know collects my money from SASSA, I tell him to buy basic groceries for me to live on until the next month.”
She is one of many living in poverty in Wesselton, nevertheless, she is one of the fortunate ones who have been gifted with a free government house (RDP).
However, she can not take care of it in her state, leaving the house in debilitated state.
Raw sewage runs rampant on her doorstep whenever it rains, leaving a persistent stench.
“I have asked the municipality to help me with the sewage problem, but they promise to come and to this day, I have yet to see them.”
She locks her front door and barricades it with cloths so the stench is bearable.
This is just one of many issues the old woman is facing.
“I am waiting until I’m 60 and maybe I can qualify for an older person’s grant.”
A trip to town is all she looks forward to.
“I have eight children, four have died and I feel so alone.”
Gogo Nomusombluko has lost hope and faith in everything but the youth on her street.
They usually check up on here to make sure she is okay.
“Most people do not know this but the girls and boys of the street keep a watchful eye.”
The same as her few and far between trips to the outside world, she treasures time spent with the youngsters.
Until then she will be on her own in her tiny house in Ecwebezela, Wesselton.
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