A Willowvale mother of three who had been living with relatives since her dilapidated home burnt down in June was all smiles yesterday as she was handed a brand new house.
An emotional Zoleka Nakuphi, 38, struggled to fight back tears as Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha handed over the keys to her in front of AmaXhosa King Mpendulo Sigcawu and outgoing Mbashe mayor Nonceba Mfecane and other dignitaries at Weza Village.
Nakuphi thanked Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga, Masutha’s spokesman, for the role he had played in facilitating the construction of the new house.
Mhaga, who comes from the area, heard of her plight and organised someone to sponsor building material.
“I never thought in my life that I could ever own a house like this.
“I am very thankful to Mthunzi, the government and all those who assisted in building this home. This is a place that my children can proudly call home,” said Nakuphi, who lost everything in the fire.
She said the house that burnt down was a two-roomed mud and stick shack, which leaked on rainy days.
The new house was built by department of correctional services prisoners and has been furnished by prison officials and other good Samaritans.
It was elders of the Weza village who brought the family’s tragedy to Mhaga’s attention.
“This gesture will not only bring comfort but dignity to the Nakuphi family,” said Mhaga.
He said that while he was mostly away from Willowvale, he had deep roots in the area and was chairman of the Weza Development Forum, which looked into development of the area.
Nakuphi’s house burnt down in June and she and her three children had taken refuge at a neighbour’s house.
King Sigcawu and Mfecana also raised a number of criminal issues affecting the area including the murder of two young girls who were hacked to death as they were returning from an initiation celebration.
Another incident involved an elderly woman who was hacked to death in the village, they said. —
lulamilef@ dispatch.co.za
New home brings comfort
An emotional Zoleka Nakuphi, 38, struggled to fight back tears as Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha handed over the keys to her in front of AmaXhosa King Mpendulo Sigcawu and outgoing Mbashe mayor Nonceba Mfecane and other dignitaries at Weza Village.
Nakuphi thanked Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga, Masutha’s spokesman, for the role he had played in facilitating the construction of the new house.
Mhaga, who comes from the area, heard of her plight and organised someone to sponsor building material.
“I never thought in my life that I could ever own a house like this.
“I am very thankful to Mthunzi, the government and all those who assisted in building this home. This is a place that my children can proudly call home,” said Nakuphi, who lost everything in the fire.
She said the house that burnt down was a two-roomed mud and stick shack, which leaked on rainy days.
The new house was built by department of correctional services prisoners and has been furnished by prison officials and other good Samaritans.
It was elders of the Weza village who brought the family’s tragedy to Mhaga’s attention.
“This gesture will not only bring comfort but dignity to the Nakuphi family,” said Mhaga.
He said that while he was mostly away from Willowvale, he had deep roots in the area and was chairman of the Weza Development Forum, which looked into development of the area.
Nakuphi’s house burnt down in June and she and her three children had taken refuge at a neighbour’s house.
King Sigcawu and Mfecana also raised a number of criminal issues affecting the area including the murder of two young girls who were hacked to death as they were returning from an initiation celebration.
Another incident involved an elderly woman who was hacked to death in the village, they said. —
lulamilef@ dispatch.co.za
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