Furnished Houses Donated as part of Mandela Day Celebrations!

Vukuzakhe – MEC “Pinky” Phosa rescued five orphans who were staying in a dilapidated shack when she donated a fully furnished house during Mandela Day celebrations.

Speaking during the handover of three houses to destitute families around Vukazakhe Township near Volkrust, MEC Phosa said, ''I am confident that the lives of the families that have received houses from the Department through sponsors will be better, and their dignity has been restored by government.

South Africans must continue to heed the call made by former State President Nelson Mandela, when he urged all of us to work together towards a common goal of changing the lives of those who are less fortunate, children, women and people with disabilities for the better.”

Phosa's sentiments were echoed by Executive Mayor of Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Local Municipality who paid tribute to the role played by Mandela in uniting this country. “Our municipality is very grateful to the contributions made by the Department under the leadership of Mrs Phosa and these houses will contribute in lessening the backload of houses faced by the municipality.

Sibonelo Ndlungwe, who is the eldest sibling and a grade 11 student at the Qhubulwazi Secondary School,said after being handed over the house, ''I am very grateful to the dedet for making it possible for us to own a house. Our lives will be much better, since we lost our mother in 2008. I even took the responsibility of being a freelance photographer, and that assisted me to take care of my other siblings, Sthembiso, Gugu, Nomhle and Fikile. God has answered our prayers”

The Department in partnership with the South African Social Agency (SASSA), the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Administration (DARLA), Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA), Mpumalanga Gambling Board (MGB), Standard Bank, South African Breweries (SAB) and Zithabiseni Resorts played a huge role by contributing furniture, food parcels, school uniform and vegetable gardens to all families that received houses.