Well-known traditional leader Thovhele Kennedy Tshivhase recently decided to donate a house to a disadvantaged family in the Thulamela municipal area.

According to Cllr Matodzi Netshifhefhe of Thulamela Municipality, this is history because it is the first time that a traditional leader has assisted a struggling family in such a way. “Most of the time here in our municipality, houses are donated either by businesses, churches or non-government organizations.”

Netshifhefhe was addressing villagers at Muhotoni village, near Mbahela, during the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the four-roomed house for the Phaswana family at the weekend. The village falls under the leadership of Musanda Vho-Lavhelesani Rantsana, a renowned pastor and academic.

Tshivhase added that he had learnt with sadness that the beneficiary of the house, Mr Albert Phaswana, is blind and is staying in a below-standard two-roomed house with his wife and four children. "His makeshift kitchen, made of old corrugated iron and tree trunks, made my heart bleed with pain. I then decided to help the family to acquire a good place to stay, so that they can also enjoy the fruits of freedom."

Much to the delight of the villagers, Tshivhase added that he was going to spend R100 000 to finance the house. “The Thulamela Municipality will provide professional builders, who will make sure that the house is complete in three weeks. We will soon start delivering bricks and all construction material. Because there is a serious shortage of water here, I will make sure that when the house is completed, I also provide a borehole for this family.”

He jokingly said: “Traditional leaders must leave a mark in this land. People must not just say muhali vho bebiwa, vha rwelwa tari, vha dzama (the traditional leader was born, inaugurated and passed on). It is my duty as a traditional leader to make sure that all my subjects are living decent lives after the t20 years of democracy.”

The village headman, Vho-Lavhelesani Rantsana, said that it was a dream come true and that he would continue to engage other leaders in developing this village. “Everyone is happy with the progress of this village and we receive applications from people who want to stay here on a daily basis.”

The blind beneficiary, Albert Phaswana (62), could only said that it was the happiest day of his life. “No words can express my happiness and gratitude. I really thank Thovhele Kennedy Tshivhase and everyone who contributed to the realization of my dream of owning a decent house.”