It was a day to remember for a 93 year old blind woman from Missionvale who today was relieved from her misery of living in a water logged shack when she received a safer temporary housing structure from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
Nompunzi Ngubenkosi was at a loss for words when the Municipality handed over a brand new temporary housing structure to her on Wednesday, 20 July at her home in Missionvale.
Ngubenkosi has had to live in appalling conditions after her shack was filled with water following the recent heavy rains. Her story was publicised on SABC TV, which is where the Municipality learned of the elderly woman’s plight.
Ngubenkosi has since been living with her neighbours because her water logged home is not fit to live in.
The Municipality approached various stakeholders for assistance, including Provincial Government departments, to step in and rescue Ngubenkosi from her situation.
While the Municipality has provided the temporary housing structure, the Department of Social Development has arranged food parcels for Ngubenkosi until such a time that the process for her to access a social grant for her grandchildren has been finalised.
“What can I say, I am very happy. I have been suffering for a long time during cold and rainy days. Now that I have a place that I can feel safe in, I will invite my friends from church over for a visit,” said Ngubenkosi.
To the community members who gathered at the handover, Ngubenkosi said it made her happier to see the community sharing in her joy.
“These are the people who saw my conditions and called for help. Today I am celebrating the house with them. I also want to thank them for their support,” she said.
Nelson Mandela Bay Deputy Executive Mayor, Cllr Nancy Sihlwayi, was present to hand over a new pair of shoes to Ngubenkosi as a gift.
“We are here today to show we are a government that listens to its people. The ANC government is a government that cares for its people of all races. We could not fold our arms, and do nothing, while an elderly woman that is the same age as Nelson Mandela suffers in such appalling conditions,” said Sihlwayi.
Because Ngubenkosi was blind, Cllr Sihlwayi called on the community to assist the elderly woman where they could.
“She can no longer take care of herself now, so she needs the love and support of her community.”
The house handover also forms part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s month long programme to celebrate the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela, who turned 93 years old on 18 July.
The elderly Nompunzi Ngubenkosi of Missionvale, who is also blind, received a temporary housing structure from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Her shack had been flooded by the recent rains, and she was forced to live with neighbours. The house handover forms part of the Municipality’s Mandela Month celebrations. Picture: Mthubanzi Mniki
Editors Notes:
- It is so sad that we as Ratepayers (referred to as the Municipality above) only take action when the plight of those less fortunate is highlighted thereby ‘embarrassing us’ out of our uncaring attitudes.
- Compare and contrast Nompunzi Ngubenkosi’s plight with that of another 93 year old who celebrated his birthday on Monday.
- How sad that neighbours from afar had to find out about Nompunzi Ngubenkosi’s situation.
- How sad that Nompunzi Ngubenkosi had to become a milestone and pawn in our political games.
