PHALABORWA – Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has fulfilled her promise to build a home for the mother of the conjoined twins within three months, officially handing over the completed house in Lulekani while emphasising that it is meant to provide a safe home for her children.

The completed 85m² five-roomed house was handed over on Wednesday, July 8, during the provincial government’s Service Delivery Week in Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality, fulfilling the premier’s promise to build the family a dignified home within three months after officiating the sod-turning ceremony on Thursday, March 23.

A fresh start for the family

Before receiving the new home, 29-year-old Nokuthula Sithole, employed at Furnmart, had been living with her mother and her three other children.

Ramathuba addressed Sithole during the handover ceremony, emphasising that the house was built with her children’s well-being and future in mind.

“This home was built for your children. I do not want to come here and find a man living in the house. I wish we could even consider registering it in the names of the children rather than the mother,” said Ramathuba.

She added that she would make an unannounced visit to check on the children’s well-being.

“The children deserve to live in a safe and comfortable home,” she stated.

The newly built house consists of:

• Three bedrooms, including a main bedroom with an en-suite bathroom
• A kitchen
• A lounge
• An additional bathroom

Funded through Premier’s Golf Day

Ramathuba said the handover fulfilled a promise she had made after visiting Sithole in hospital earlier this year. A social worker’s report had revealed that the family was living without formal housing, prompting the provincial government to intervene.

She explained that the project was funded through proceeds from the Premier’s Annual Golf Day and symbolised compassion, dignity and hope.

Ramathuba thanked traditional leaders, businesses and organisations that contributed towards the project, including Risima Housing Finance Corporation for overseeing its implementation. She further announced that Standard Bank had pledged to donate furniture for the family’s new home.

The twins’ journey

The conjoined twins were born on January 28 at Mankweng Tertiary Hospital after Sithole was transferred from Maphutha Malatji Hospital for specialised care. Following a successful separation surgery, one of the boys sadly died from sepsis on Friday, April 3, while the surviving twin continues to receive specialised treatment at Steve Biko Academic Hospital.

A mother’s gratitude

Speaking emotionally during the handover, Sithole recalled being told that she and her conjoined twins would not survive without immediate medical intervention, describing the experience as the beginning of a difficult journey that was made even harder by the loss of her father.

“I do not know how I would have coped without the love and support I received. I am truly grateful to everyone who stood by my family during this difficult journey,” said Sithole.