"Leaving in a shack was like being buried alive, now I will be able to live like other people in this community. My life has been very difficult over many years. I have suffered a lot in my life due to this bad situation. I have secured a family through the department. From today, I will live in a conducive house."
This is according to the 73-year-old Solomon Maduna who said these words during the handover of his brand new fully furnished today [ 10 September 2019]. The house was handed over by Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Ms. Gabisile Shabalala alongside Executive Mayor of Dr. Pixley Isaka Ka Seme Local Municipality, Councilor Vincent Malatsi outside Amersfoort.
The old man was identified during the ruling party’s election campaign in the area. At the time, the 73 old was living in a dilapidated mud house. The structure was completely inhabitable and not safe for the old man to stay in because of the fear it could collapse anytime. Maduna was at the time living alone.
The compassionate MEC Shabalala was moved by Maduna’s squalor conditions such that she mobilized funding in order to assist the old man with a proper shelter. The MEC’s plea did not fall on deaf ears because good Samaritans, local business people, then contributed to building a house for Maduna.
“The first time I visited Mkhulu Maduna, I was touched and at the time the it was very cold and he was not well,” says the MEC. She also promised to take care of Maduna saying that he is now a family to the DCSSL and the Dr. Pixley Isaka Ka Seme Local Municipality.
The house was subsequently built through the assistance of business communities in the area. The MEC is grateful to all individuals who assisted with funding for the project. She has therefore encouraged business people and other individuals to assist with uplifting those who are in need and vulnerable in the in their communities.
“We need good corporate citizens and individuals to ploughs back to communities. It is only when we work together that a prosperous and a caring society will be built,” Shabalala said.
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