A Mthatha builder has come to the aid of three siblings living in dire circumstances in a two-roomed mud house in Ncise village outside Mthatha.
The house is occupied by 20-year-old Nosiviwe Mboniswa, her 19-year-old sister, Onezwa, and their 17-year-old brother, Sivakele.
The sibling’s mother passed away in 2013 while their elderly father passed away in October last year, leaving them with very little.
The house is furnished only with two beds, a kitchen table, a two-burner stove which only works on one side, four plastic tumblers, one plate and some spoons.
The spoons the Daily Dispatch found out, is the only cutlery they have.
A huge window in one wall has been boarded up with wood.
“We sleep in the other room with the doors locked,” Mboniswa said.
The 20-year-old is studying towards a building and construction diploma at the King Sabata Dalindyebo FET College, and walks about 4km to school and back every day as she has no money for taxi fare.
“Our parents managed to send us to school using their social grants. When my father passed away last year, we did not have anything.
“Our relatives would send us money to buy groceries but the food does not last the whole month. Our church has also been assisting us with food,” she said.
Themba Makhubele, a builder from Limpopo who was working on a construction project in the village, heard about the three siblings from a colleague.
“I used to drive past this house every day. I thought it was an abandoned house. It did not look habitable.
“So when my colleague Romeo told me about the kids last month, I decided to lend a hand.
“Unfortunately at the time they had gone to visit a relative so I only met them earlier this month,” he said.
Makhubele said he immediately realised the plight they were in.
“I bought groceries for them and told them I would get them proper shelter. I started the project and was assisted by a local brickyard which gave me the bricks at a low price and Mintirho Business Enterprise helped by providing labourers for the project,” Makhubele explained.
Makhubele not only assists the Mboniswa siblings, but also buys groceries for others in need around Mthatha.
“Being orphaned does not mean you should be treated differently from other children with parents. They need to feel like other kids too,” he said.
For Sivakele, the new brick and mortar house which has already reached roof level, is a dream come true.
“I am now able to show my friends where my home is while in the past I would walk past my house because I was too embarrassed,” he said.
Onezwa, who passed her matric exams with a B symbol, has not been accepted at university yet.
Makhubele appealed for assistance for the family and said anyone wanting to help, could call him on
081-402-6024. — abongilem@dispatch.co.za
Builder helps three orphans brick by brick
The house is occupied by 20-year-old Nosiviwe Mboniswa, her 19-year-old sister, Onezwa, and their 17-year-old brother, Sivakele.
The sibling’s mother passed away in 2013 while their elderly father passed away in October last year, leaving them with very little.
The house is furnished only with two beds, a kitchen table, a two-burner stove which only works on one side, four plastic tumblers, one plate and some spoons.
The spoons the Daily Dispatch found out, is the only cutlery they have.
A huge window in one wall has been boarded up with wood.
“We sleep in the other room with the doors locked,” Mboniswa said.
The 20-year-old is studying towards a building and construction diploma at the King Sabata Dalindyebo FET College, and walks about 4km to school and back every day as she has no money for taxi fare.
“Our parents managed to send us to school using their social grants. When my father passed away last year, we did not have anything.
“Our relatives would send us money to buy groceries but the food does not last the whole month. Our church has also been assisting us with food,” she said.
Themba Makhubele, a builder from Limpopo who was working on a construction project in the village, heard about the three siblings from a colleague.
“I used to drive past this house every day. I thought it was an abandoned house. It did not look habitable.
“So when my colleague Romeo told me about the kids last month, I decided to lend a hand.
“Unfortunately at the time they had gone to visit a relative so I only met them earlier this month,” he said.
Makhubele said he immediately realised the plight they were in.
“I bought groceries for them and told them I would get them proper shelter. I started the project and was assisted by a local brickyard which gave me the bricks at a low price and Mintirho Business Enterprise helped by providing labourers for the project,” Makhubele explained.
Makhubele not only assists the Mboniswa siblings, but also buys groceries for others in need around Mthatha.
“Being orphaned does not mean you should be treated differently from other children with parents. They need to feel like other kids too,” he said.
For Sivakele, the new brick and mortar house which has already reached roof level, is a dream come true.
“I am now able to show my friends where my home is while in the past I would walk past my house because I was too embarrassed,” he said.
Onezwa, who passed her matric exams with a B symbol, has not been accepted at university yet.
Makhubele appealed for assistance for the family and said anyone wanting to help, could call him on
081-402-6024. — abongilem@dispatch.co.za
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