Grandmother’s plea for a house

A FAMILY of three say they need assistance with a house from government.

Christian Masalesa (48), of Ga-Matlala New Stan, lives in a dilapidated house with her daughter and granddaughter.

Christian has a chronic illness and is unemployed. She and her family depend solely on her granddaughter’s social grant.

“We receive food parcels, but they are are sometimes only delivered after six months. This is a health risk as I am on medication,” says Christian.

“I am asking government for a social grant so I can buy food for the family. We sometimes go to bed without food and this affects my health.”

According to Christian’s daughter, Morongwa, she dropped out of school to take care of her mother.

“I am hurt by my mother’s condition. I can’t even socialise with my friends because I think if I leave her alone something might happen to her.

“I wish government could build us a house, a toilet and help my mother with a social grant, so she can buy the best food for her condition. She also needs assistance with transport to the clinic and hospital,” she says.

One of the family’s neighbours, Dick Mathatho, says the Masalesa’s situation is heartbreaking and although the community sometimes helps them, it is not enough.

“No one deserves to live like this. This family is really suffering, and what hurts the most is that Morongwa cannot go to school. The government’s help will really make a difference,” says Mathatho.

CV contacted Zwannda Kutama, spokesperson of the South African Social Security Agency about the Masalesa family. Kutama promised to look into the matter.