Retired construction worker Peggy Mali has used her expertise to build a temporary structure for an elderly couple and six permanent toilets for her church.
Mali, who had bowed out from the sector to do battle with cancer, later recovered fully and is now using her time to make a difference in the lives of others.
The former site manager on the construction of Hemingways Mall has been caring for Aaron Koti, who had two successful eye operations after funds were raised by 2015 local hero Ronnie Coetzee.
Now Mali has taken Koti’s wife Nobelungu under her wing.
Nobelungu suffered a stroke on last month that crippled her left arm and leg.
“Because of my relationship with the couple, neighbours from their home in Mzamomhle informal settlement called me at about 2am to tell me that Nobelungu was terribly ill.
“Immediately I rushed her to the hospital and after a long wait, we were told she had a stroke. Doctors asked us to visit her regularly because she has no family. She had had contact with her relatives more than 20 years ago.”
Each day, Mali fetches Koti from the Schwedhelm Mall in Gonubie where he works as a security guard and takes him to see his wife before taking him home again.
“I had bought her toiletries and cosmetics to encourage her to keep looking clean and beautiful for her husband, just like when they first met. She laughs all the time when I say that, and that is good for her stiff mouth muscles.”
Koti said Mali had been buying food for him every day.
“Peggy has been supportive of me and my wife and is making the extra effort of taking better care of me while I am alone.
“She is currently rehabilitating our shack to make it bigger and more conducive for my wife when she returns,” said Koti.
Mali said the couples’ shack was very small, with holes from every angle. In it was a single, worn-out bed.
“I have gathered zinc material from our farm and approached a friend for a new double bed.
“I have also asked others for more material to build a bigger shack with divisions and windows for the couple while they await their RDP house. Nobelungu may be released any day now, so I am trying to find someone that can look after her during the day while her husband is at work.
“I want her to come back to a comfortable home with windows so she can improve her blood circulation.”
Mali is also building six toilets at her church, St George’s Presbyterian Church in Oxford Street, in memory of their late pastor Clifford Leeuw, who was killed at Leaches Bay in January.
“Pastor Leeuw had been very supportive throughout my battle with cancer.
“In his honour, I donated my skills and labour to build the toilets at the church.”
She said during the pastor’s memorial services, people had to queue outside the single functional toilet. Mali said some members of the congregation had also donated a variety of material towards the project. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
First she whipped her cancer, now she helps those in need
Mali, who had bowed out from the sector to do battle with cancer, later recovered fully and is now using her time to make a difference in the lives of others.
The former site manager on the construction of Hemingways Mall has been caring for Aaron Koti, who had two successful eye operations after funds were raised by 2015 local hero Ronnie Coetzee.
Now Mali has taken Koti’s wife Nobelungu under her wing.
Nobelungu suffered a stroke on last month that crippled her left arm and leg.
“Because of my relationship with the couple, neighbours from their home in Mzamomhle informal settlement called me at about 2am to tell me that Nobelungu was terribly ill.
“Immediately I rushed her to the hospital and after a long wait, we were told she had a stroke. Doctors asked us to visit her regularly because she has no family. She had had contact with her relatives more than 20 years ago.”
Each day, Mali fetches Koti from the Schwedhelm Mall in Gonubie where he works as a security guard and takes him to see his wife before taking him home again.
“I had bought her toiletries and cosmetics to encourage her to keep looking clean and beautiful for her husband, just like when they first met. She laughs all the time when I say that, and that is good for her stiff mouth muscles.”
Koti said Mali had been buying food for him every day.
“Peggy has been supportive of me and my wife and is making the extra effort of taking better care of me while I am alone.
“She is currently rehabilitating our shack to make it bigger and more conducive for my wife when she returns,” said Koti.
Mali said the couples’ shack was very small, with holes from every angle. In it was a single, worn-out bed.
“I have gathered zinc material from our farm and approached a friend for a new double bed.
“I have also asked others for more material to build a bigger shack with divisions and windows for the couple while they await their RDP house. Nobelungu may be released any day now, so I am trying to find someone that can look after her during the day while her husband is at work.
“I want her to come back to a comfortable home with windows so she can improve her blood circulation.”
Mali is also building six toilets at her church, St George’s Presbyterian Church in Oxford Street, in memory of their late pastor Clifford Leeuw, who was killed at Leaches Bay in January.
“Pastor Leeuw had been very supportive throughout my battle with cancer.
“In his honour, I donated my skills and labour to build the toilets at the church.”
She said during the pastor’s memorial services, people had to queue outside the single functional toilet. Mali said some members of the congregation had also donated a variety of material towards the project. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
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