Christmas came early this year for Gogo Gwala and her children, who reside in the Mjindini area of Umhlumayo.

uThukela District Mayor Siphiwe Mazibuko officially handed over a brand new house to them on Friday, September 25. Gogo Gwala was identified by the district mayor during Mandela Day activities that were conducted around the area. He saw that the elderly woman and her family were living in dire conditions in a two-roomed mud house.

“We fear that this house will collapse on us any time, as it does not have a proper structure. When it rains, everything inside the house gets wet,” were the words of the Gwala family that touched Mayor Mazibuko’s heart.

He vowed to help. Mayor Mazibuko explained that the initiative relates to Mandela Day, whereby former President Nelson Mandela was deeply concerned about the plight of the poor.

Also read: ‘New dawn’ and new home for Gwala family of Ladysmith

“During Mandela Day activities, we were profiling several households and with the assistance of community caregivers and Inkosi Sithole, this family was identified as the one that needed immediate intervention. The OSS programme insists that we work together as neighbours to make our lives better. When we first saw the state of the house on Mandela Day, we knew from the onset that intervention was indeed needed. My organisation entrusted me with the duties to help communities,” explained the mayor.

Alfred Duma Local Municipality Mayor Vincent Madlala was also present at this event. He said a lot can be achieved when people work together. “We are committed to provide the family with the necessities for them to be able to live a normal lifestyle. We will also be constructing access roads in the area so that people are able to live better.”

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