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Thinavhuyo Nobela photographed in front of the dilapidated mud house with some of her children. Photo supplied.
News - Date: 23 June 2024
Ms Thinavhuyo Nobela of Mashau Doli and her five children live in dire conditions in a single-room, dilapidated mud house with no proper floor. The perilous roof is held in place by bricks, posing a constant danger of collapse. Despite her efforts since 2018 to secure a government-built RDP house, she remains without a safe home.
Ms Nobela recounts that since 2018, the ward councillor has visited her home three times, requesting her ID document, yet no progress has been made. “I have been applying for an RDP house since 2018,” she said. “They said several times that they could not build me a house.” Her living conditions and the uncertainty of their future cause her immense distress. When it rains, the family is forced to stay awake to protect themselves from falling bricks. “We wake up and cover our heads to avoid bricks from the roof from falling on us,” she added.
The house is so poorly constructed that sunlight and the sky are visible through gaps. Heavy rains cause the roof to leak, compelling them to seek shelter with neighbours. Ms Nobela and her children survive on child support grants, but the money is insufficient for any substantial improvement to their living conditions. “The dilapidated house we live in is not safe, and it’s hard to squeeze five people in here because there is little space. If we could only have a decent house,” Nobela said. She constantly worries about her children’s future, especially in the event of her death.
The director of Human Rights Rescue and Services, Mr Willy Chaba, said that they had written several letters to the Collins Chabane Municipality since 2018, requesting assistance for Ms Nobela, but nothing had come of it. “As an organisation, we have to take care of the poor,” Chaba said. “We have big challenges of unemployment and poverty in our communities.” He urged the municipality to provide Ms Nobela and her family with an RDP house, highlighting that they did not choose to be poor and needed support to improve their lives. “This woman has never enjoyed the fruits of freedom and democracy. The child grant she gets goes to food and nothing is left,” he added.
In response, Cllr Molly Mutele confirmed that Ms Nobela is on the list of beneficiaries for the next round of housing, which should begin soon. He called on the community to assist those in need, stating that donations of building materials like bricks and cement would be greatly appreciated.
Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.
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