THE Angel Network Durban has been a true angel to thousands of KZN residents in their times of crisis, including for a man who lost his home to a fire in 2009.

The purpose of the non-profit organisation is to alleviate poverty and social injustices by working with communities and empowering them to reach their full potential by giving a hand up instead of a handout.

READ ALSO: Durban North netball pro to hit the road running for a worthy cause

The organisation is a national NPO with the head office in Gauteng and another regional branch in the Western Cape. The KwaZulu-Natal branch is comprised of a team of three Durban North women who care deeply about helping others: Tanya Altshuler, Rachel Kinloch and Rachel Maehler.

“Initially, The Angel Network Durban was a small organisation that acted as a middle man to those who needed help in KwaZulu-Natal.
It has grown substantially since Covid-19 hit and then the July riots, and more recently, since the flooding in our province, we have been inundated with requests to assist,” said Kinloch.

Among helping those who had fallen on hard times due to the pandemic, and flood victims of the April floods, the network also assisted Mlungile Nyide by building him a new home after tragedy struck.

“I inherited my home in Quarry Heights from my mother after she died. We lived here for 20 years, but when my mom died, I rented a room out to a couple who got into a quarrel with the woman’s former lover,” said Nyide.

“The former lover burned my house down. I had no choice but to live in the burnt shell of the house,” he added.

Nyide managed to escape the fire through a window, but the couple perished in the flames, and the man allegedly responsible for the fire is still at large.

Since the incident, Nyide’s mental health had taken a turn for the worse, and he lost his ability to speak.

About three weeks ago, The Angel Network Durban, after being made aware of this poor man’s plight by community member, Dumile Mwelase, with the assistance of donors and volunteers, started rebuilding Nyide’s home, and a vast improvement has already been seen in Nyide. He is even able to speak a little again.

When the Northglen News visited the site, two builders were seen plastering the walls.

“We really wanted this new home to be a new start for Mlu. And we can already see the healing beginning,” commented Kinloch.
The home consists of a room, bathroom, kitchen and small lounge.

“I am so happy that my home is being rebuilt. Life has been hard. Thank you to Angel Network and everyone who assisted,” he said.
The Angel Network, together with Singakwazi Aid’s Pete Graham, is collecting items of furniture, bedding, clothing, kitchen utensils, curtains and groceries for Nyide.

For more information on drop-off or collection, please email rachel@theangelnetwork.co.za.