Help to build a home for eMbalenhle-mom who lost everything in fire

HIGHVELD – A local welfare organisation decided to help a woman who lost two of her children and all of her earthly belongings in a shack fire recently.

Ridge Times reported last month how nine-year-old Lerato Mkwanazi and her baby brother, Siphosethu (10 months) died when the tiny shack in Ext 22, eMbalenhle, which they shared with their parents, Ms Ntombifuthi Mkwanazi and Mr Nompandlana Dinezweni, and siblings Tsepo (11), Ayanda (5) and Andiswa (2) burned down on Friday night, 23 April.

Ms Mkwanazi had taken Mr Dinezweni to hospital again that day and was not home when the children fell asleep at candlelight.

Tsepo managed to get two of the little ones out of the shack before it was engulfed in flames.

This tragedy has touched the hearts of those involved with a local non-profit organisation, Caring Love For One Another, a group that is aimed at helping people in their community.

They are now challenging business owners and individuals to help build a house for Ms Mkwanazi and the surviving children.

Ms Lillian Scholtz from Caring Love For One Another, said Ms Mkwanazi has lost so much and they are calling on the community to reach out to this distraught mother.

Caring Love for One Another already collected some clothes, a bit of food and a double bed, although more would be welcomed.

The sizes needed are a woman’s size 38 to 40, a man’s size 36, clothes to fit boys of 5-6 and 8-9 (Tsepo is small-built) and a two-year-old girl.

The family desperately needs food.

For the building of a new shack, they will be needing corrugated iron sheets, poles and other building materials.

Household contents needed include two single beds, pots and pans, a table and chairs.

“Anything, big or small is welcome,” said Ms Scholtz.

For more information or to donate, contact Ms Scholtz at 068 166 3893.