UPDATE: Rallying for Etete pensioners

In a true sense of Ubuntu, businesses and residents joined forces to help improve the lives of three Etete pensioners who have spent a large part of their lives living in shacks that are falling apart.

The nightmare began more than 30 years ago when James Jabren (71), Moypathie Jagganath (77) and Kamla Bagelloo (76) sought refuge in two shacks in Etete, with no other option for shelter.

With no electricity, cooking outside and chopping wood for a fire has become a daily reality and a struggle as they grew older and weaker.

The roofs of what they call home collapsed many times and the three were forced to sleep on rain-soaked beds.

Most of the belongings were damaged over time due to flooding.

Also read: The forgotten pensioners of Etete

Although the petitioners applied for housing two years ago, two of them are on the list for phase four of the Etete RDP housing project – but phase one has not yet started and it appears it will be a long time before government housing is available.

After the Courier highlghted their plight last month (‘The forgotten pensioners of Etete’ , The North Coast Courier), many businesses and concerned readers, some from as far as the UK, have stepped in to help and together formed a community project.

One the coordinators, Peter van Wijk, said so far a fence has been erected at one of the shacks while repairs to the roofing was underway.

“So far, we have started work on one of the shacks that needed repairing. The roof was near collapsing and we have to replace it. We will also be putting in a ceiling.”

Last Saturday, Chapman Building started work on erecting a wire fence around the shack for security purposes. Van Wijk said that while things were looking good for one of the shacks, the second badly damaged shack which is home to two of the pensioners had to be completely rebuilt. Temporarily, a Wendy house has been erected on the property for the pair to sleep in when it rains.

“We are surprised that the shack managed to withstand the recent storms. The plan is to build a three bedroom brick and water house with an open plan living area.

“At the moment they do not have electricity and they have to use the bathroom outside. We want the house to have everything inside to make things as comfortable and easy as possible.

“We are still in the process of getting the plans approved by the council and once that is done we will start collecting building materials.”

Businesses have come on board to build the house as well as to sort out plumbing and electricity. Once the plans were approved, the house is expected to take about two weeks to complete.

“People have really stepped up and we already donated groceries, clothing, linen and pet food to the pensioners,” said van Wijk.

One of the pensioners, Kamla Bagelloo, said she was “over the moon” for the help she received.

“I do not know how to thank everyone. I send my blessings to all the angels who did so much.”

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