Home is where the heart is for the Cele family
For Mandela Day, police officers and members of the community spent hours completing the construction and final touches on the Cele family house project which began last year.
Police and the Amandawe community joined hands to help build a house for the Cele family.
The project, initiated by Colonel Geoff Ngcobo who was previously stationed at Scottburgh, began last year after the death of his colleague Constable DD Cele, the family’s breadwinner.
“On the day of the funeral, I realised that we needed to intervene to help this family of 12,” he said.
With assistance from the Ugu Cluster Men For Change, Women’s Network and various others, the family was cared for.
“Someone once told me ‘charity begins at home’, so I wanted to take this to heart,” he added.
On Mandela Day last year, construction of the house began and in January this year, the family moved in.
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A year down the line, on Mandela Day this year, police officers and members of the community spent hours plastering the house and giving it those final touches.
All the organisations and individuals who contributed to this project and who donated groceries to the family are thanked for their generosity.
“The most important thing as a human being, is trying to make a difference in someone’s life, because the little that we do for someone can really mean a lot,” said Scottburgh Saps Station Commander, Colonel Ralph Ruiters.
And this is what they were able to do on Mandela Day – make a difference in a family’s life.
The Cele family are extremely grateful.
“We are so thankful and so happy that the police, our community and others came together to give us a proper home,” said Phumlile Cele.
Phumlile is the only one to bring home a small income. The only other income received is from her father David’s pension. David Cele is also the eldest member of the family.
There are seven children in the family, ranging in age from two weeks to 16 years so it is a relief that the family now has proper shelter.
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