Dvokolwako: Despite government’s frantic efforts to fight hunger and poverty in the country an old man from Msinda, Dvokolwako is living alone in a dilapidated stick and mud shack, which, had it not been for the intervention of the area’s community members, was sure to fall at any time.
Mkhulu Macandza Ndwandwe (89), has been living under the rundown structure for years and despite the situation being reported to local authorities nothing was done. “The area’s Royal Kraal, Bucopho and Indvuna Yenkhundla were made aware of the fate of Mkhulu Ndwandwe yet things remained the same,” said a community member identified as Khumbulani Mvubu.
Mvubu, who is one of those mobilizing resources to build a proper structure for Ndwandwe told the Independent News that the situation for the old man is a desperate one and as a community they could not sit back and watch such a deplorable state of affairs unfold right in front of their eyes.
On Monday, the community members gathered and dug a foundation where a two roomed house will be built for Ndwandwe.
“Blocks and cement has been organized through public donations but there’s still a great need for more material for the structure to come to completion”, said Mvubu.
Mvubu thanked all those who responded swiftly to the call to assist, while pleading with companies to join in and lend a helping hand. In addition to building material Mvubu appealed for food parcels as there is no support system in that regard. It was also gathered that on an occasional basis Mkhulu Ndwandwe gets food parcels from sympathetic community members, however, the provision is not constant and there are days when the old man goes without food.
NDMA
Independent News also gathered that four years the area’s Bucopho with a team from the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) visited the homestead and pitched a tent. “That’s all they did and have returned eversince despite promising to do so,” Mvubu.
A community volunteer identified as Make Shongwe, who is also a neighbor to Mkhulu Ndwandwe, described the situation as a dreadful one considering that he is a loner and living from hand to mouth.
According to Shongwe, Mkhulu Ndwandwe neither has a wife nor children, but is on his own. When asked about relatives Make Shongwe said Ndwandwe does have relatives but receives no help from them.
Anyone willing to help can call 76055452.
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