New beginning for Thandazile
After facing many challenges at her previous place of residence, Thandazile Nkomo is overjoyed with her new house.
AN UNKNOWN author once said, “A house is made of walls and beams, a home is built with love and dreams.”
These profound words aptly describe the heart-warming story of Thandazile Nkomo, who is reaping the rewards of her perseverance and willpower.
Thirty-year-old Nkomo, who is the proud new owner of a two bedroom house in New Germany, was a victim of political violence in 1998. While Nkomo lost the use of her legs after being shot, her brother died in the fatal shooting. After the tragic incident Nkomo lived in the same one-room RDP house where the brutal attack occurred. The house had large cracks in the walls, a toilet which was positioned outside and no water. Her movements were restricted due to being confined to a wheelchair and the small area surrounding the house.
The house was situated at the bottom of three steep hills and she needed three people to assist her to get to the road. The former Burlington Heights resident’s hope was renewed in 2011 when Ward 65 councillor, Chris van den Berg, heard about her plight and poor living conditions.
Berg, who has been instrumental in assisting Nkomo to get a new house, said, “I was informed about Thandazile in 2011 by members of the community when I was making queries about housing issues, which included looking for people who had documents to say that they would receive RDP houses that they never received. I was taken to visit her.”
The process of trying to obtain a new home for Nkomo started on the same day that Berg heard about her challenges. “I raised the issue with housing department about her having made two applications for a house. Both applications said she would receive a house, according to the documentation she was given and showed to me, both of which she never received. This was just brushed aside with all the other issues raised at the time. Eventually, out of frustration, I took it to my party structures for assistance, namely my constituency chair, MP and KZN leader, Sizwe Mchunu. Sizwe took it to the the premier and the premier was to send a delegation to see her,” said Berg.
His efforts yielded positive results, and Nkoma now lives with her sister and brother-in-law in their new, well-structured house which caters for her disability and also includes proper sanitation facilities and water. With tears in her eyes and a broad smile, Nkomo said, “I couldn’t do anything in my old house. It felt as if I was living in a jail. I would like to thank councillor Chris and everyone who helped get me a new house.”
Nkoma also received blankets, kitchen utensils, groceries and goods to furnish her home with, courtesy of members of the Democratic Alliance.
