The April Family in Madibogo Village in the Ratlou Local Municipality, has found relieve from the Department of Human Settlements. The family of 15 has been living in a one roomed house that belonged to their grandparents for the past 20 years. The family consist of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Learning about the situation the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Nono Maloyi accompanied by the Head of Department (HOD) Kgomotso Mahlobo visited the April family to introduce a contractor who will be building a house for them. The philanthropist raised to the occasion after hearing about the heart breaking story of the April family.
Member of the family 29-year-old mother of three Idah April, says the family survives on child support grant. No one in the family is employed and they make a living from odd jobs.
The adults in the family are outside the social grants/ old age bracket and on odd jobs from the neighbouring farms. Most of them do not have identity documents and are unable to benefit from the social relieve fund from government.
“We will welcome any little assistance we can get as a family. It’s been years since we have been living in this room which does not have privacy, and also has defects.
“We depend on child support grant and money from odd jobs from local farms. The government assistance will come in handy,” said a hopeful April.
According to the Head of Department Kgomotso Mahlobo, the department prides itself by having contractors who plough back into the communities through their corporate investments.
Otukile Kgabi of MGT Projects, volunteered to build a house for the April family and hope to complete it by next month. “We heard of your plight and we came here to ensure that you get a decent house, we promise you that you will be living in your house on Mandela Day this year,” said Mahlobo.
Mahlobo also urged appointed contractors in different housing projects to perform to their best abilities, as the departmental MEC Maloyi has issued a serious warning and vowed to terminate the contracts of non-performing contractors. She said the department is looking forward to working together with the appointed contractor and they will offer them support.
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