WeeklySA_AdminINTERVENTION: Local athlete and grocer step in to alleviate the dire situation as mom of three struggles with illness and inability to fend for her children in a run-down homestead…
By Siyabonga Kamnqa
Battling mental illness, an unemployed Eastern Cape mother is struggling with an extra burden of taking care of her three children and grandson.
And, as the new school year got underway this week, the poverty-stricken family is relying on Good Samaritans to put food on the table and also pay for school fees and stationery. Speaking to Weekly SA Mirror from her dilapidated two-roomed mud structure in Mbekeni village in Ngcobo, Ntombekhaya Ndaku (49) said life has been hell for her and her three children Nombulelo (19), Emihle (14), Siviwe (16) and grandson Migcobo (11).
“Ayilulanga impilo esiyiphilayo kwelikhaya (The life we are living in this home is not easy at all). I am sick and tired of living this life of poverty and sometimes I even contemplate suicide because it’s not easy seeing my children suffering like this. But I’m thankful to the Good Samaritans who come and give us whatever they can so that we can keep the wolf at the door. My only appeal is for the Government to come and see my living conditions,” said Ndaku. The family has no source of income and depends only on the social grant that the children receive from the Government, which can barely sustain them.
After learning about the plight of the family, local philanthropist and marathon runner Vuko “Vince” Loqo said he decided not to fold his arms and tried his best to assist the destitute family. “For the past year my foundation, Ithemba Support Foundation, has been assisting this home with R1 000 a month for groceries and uniforms for the kids. The only source of income they have is a grant for the three children. It was disheartening for me to see their living conditions and I decided to approach a local retail store which donated groceries,” said Loqo.
This week, there were big smiles inside the Ndaku family homestead as Loqo surprised them with a new refrigerator and a R1000 worth of groceries through donations from his foundation.
He also donated some clothing items for the children and also ensured electricity connection at the house. Loqo said he was in touch with social development authorities in the province in order to ensure that the family is adequately supported with suitable social support.
“My main concern now is with the children because they need to focus on their school work and not have to worry about the situation at home. We tried to get the mother an RDP house but she refuses to leave this house as she is convinced that she will be forced to pay a bond in the RDP house. That’s the challenge of the mental situation we are faced with and which I believe the Department of Social Development needs to step in to address,” said Loqo.
Spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development, Mzukisi Solani, could not be reached for comment at the time of writing.
