Ms Mapula Tsotetsi is a 54-year-old ill woman, who lives with her sister in Sakhile in utter poverty.
She used to work as a babysitter, until she began experiencing problems with her right leg.
“It began as an itchy rash that later resulted into a wound three years ago,” Ms Tsotetsi said.
She said she stopped working because her leg was swollen and painful.
“I have been to different public health facilities and have been given treatment, but my leg has still not healed.”
She does not have any source of income and relies on her sister.
“My sister earns little and it’s not enough to take care of both of us,” she said
The sisters sometimes go to bed on empty stomachs.
They live in a shack with no water and electricity.
It has holes in the walls which make it easy for rain, dust and cold to penetrate.
“We have one tap that we share with the neighbours, but it’s far and it’s hard for me to get there.”
This shack is lined with plastic on the inside, to isolate them from the freezing cold.
They use a small metal container to make fire to keep warm.
Ms Tsotetsi used to attend Vukuzimele Club for the Aged, where she received meals daily, but she has since stopped because she cannot walk there anymore.
She has applied for a disability grant at the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), but she has not received it as yet.
She pleaded with the government to build them a house because she fears that the shack will be blown down by strong wind or heavy rain sooner or later.
People who want to help can contact Ms Senamile Phungula at 071 893 9647.
