Hope for Groutville gogo

Soon, after 72 years, ‘gogo’ Christina Masondo of Groutville will go to bed with the peace of mind of having a proper roof over her head built for her by the hard work of her own community members and made possible by the local government and the SABBA movement.

The SABBA movement is a non-profit organisation founded by Corlea Human this year, to eradicate extreme poverty through community development.

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The NGO joined forces with the local government after ANC Ward 29 councillor Lewin Cele realised Masodo’s plight and brought it to the attention of the local ANC government for a plan of action.

“Currently, Gogo lives with her grandchildren in a shack in Groutville, which is falling apart. The house is leaking, the wiring is a danger and the roof is about to collapse.

“KwaDukuza municipality will be supplying skilled labour toward the project, electricity as well as getting the building plans approved. We needed people to step in and help with materials and to volunteer their time, and this is where SABBA came to the rescue,” he said.

This is the NGOs first housing project since its formation nearly a month ago. Human said the project will use material from around the community to rebuild the house.

“The volunteers will also be made up of unemployed people who will learn about construction and see how they too could build their own home from start to finish.”

The new home, which was designed by Mabette Vermaakand Sidesh Rajballli from Detail Architects in Ballito, is going to be 70 square meters with three bedrooms, one bathroom, an open plan living area, dining and kitchen area and a verandah overlooking the garden.

Green building principles were applied where possible, such as harvesting rainwater, installing solar panels and using repurposed building materials. Masondo, who is known as a ‘gogo’ to everyone in her community, struggles to move around in cramped space said she was extremely excited for her new home.

“I love everyone who is helping me and I really do not know how to thank them.” People willing to volunteer can email Sheila at sheila@sabbamovement. com

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