Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla visited ten vulnerable households in Madlangemphisi under the directive of His Majesty the King, who earlier this March called for the construction of decent homes for families living in unsafe conditions.
Accompanied by the Madlangemphisi Inkhundla Council, Dladla’s tour revealed the harsh realities of residents living in crumbling mud-and-stick structures and leaking thatched huts. Most of these households survive on government grants and have no stable income or access to better housing.
Among those visited was 72-year-old Sikhandzephi Sifundza, who now shares a single room with her son and three grandchildren after her first house collapsed and the second began falling apart.
Aaron and Monica Magagula, aged 85 and 72 respectively, also live in a fragile mud house. They are often visited by their grandchildren, all of whom share the single room with them. Like many others, the couple’s only income is the elderly grant.
Sipho and Gabsile Dlamini care for a large household of eight children and eight grandchildren. Despite the heavy responsibility, none of the children are employed, and the family relies solely on the elderly grant.
Another household includes 73-year-old Mphenguli Gamedze, who shares a thatched hut with his stepdaughter Bonakele, who lives with a disability. They survive on the elderly and disability grants.
Sarah Mahlalela, 65, resides with her grandson in a deteriorating mud house. Her daughter is away, seeking employment. Like others in the area, Mahlalela’s only support is the elderly grant.
In one of the most challenging situations, 54-year-old Mthethephi Maseko is raising four children in a single room, including three autistic, non-verbal boys.
Meanwhile, Mliba Motsa, also 54, lives alone in a mud hut. His sons are being raised by their grandmother.
Thulisile Mhlanga, 51, has no roof over her head. She began constructing a two-room house on a plot allocated to her but had to abandon it due to financial constraints. She had been living with relatives but was recently evicted.
At 76, Zodwa Nqobile Mwelase lives in a leaking one-room thatched hut with her 14-year-old son. Their only source of income is the government grant.
Lastly, Thokozile Thobile Simelane, 80, lives with her daughter, 49-year-old Lencane Simelane, and seven grandchildren. The family shares two old stick and mud structures, one of which serves as a kitchen.
More vulnerable families in the area are expected to be visited on Friday, April 11, as part of the ongoing outreach and housing support initiative.
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