AFTER decades of living in a dilapidated mud house, the poverty-stricken Ntongana family, of Bhede, received a brand-new house.
All thanks to Ward 17 Councillor, Mncedisi Mbengo, and local businesses.
After witnessing the parlous conditions the family lives in, Mbengo knocked on various local businesses’ doors for assistance – all in a bid to build a new house.
Mbengo says, “The two-roomed mud structure Nokhonsathi Ntongana shared with her family for more than two decades, was not safe. It could fall down at any point.
“I immediately contacted Osama Hardware, who donated building material. Other businesses followed suit: AR Boards, YOLO, Riders’ Towing and Recovery and Club 702.”
According to Mbengo, the new house was completed within months and was handed over to the family on Tuesday. The house is still in need of tiles, but that will follow soon.
The unemployed grandmother, who used to share the mud house with her five grandchildren after her daughters moved to a nearby squatter camp due to limited space, says, “Parts of the walls would just come tumbling down during heavy downpours. We had nowhere else to go, so we stayed – despite various close calls.
“But now, everything has changed for the better. I am one of the luckiest women in the world.
“Residents, living in the same conditions as myself, died while waiting for a better life.
“However, I am fortunate enough to experience a better life. And when I die, I know that my children will have a decent roof over their heads.
“Thank you to everyone who helped to build my house. I will be forever grateful.”
According to Mbengo, he and the local business owners are in the process of building more houses, with the second house due to be handed over to its new owner in the near future.
“This is evident, if we all work together – the public sector and business – we can make a huge and lasting difference in the lives of those in need,” he said.
