By Staff Reporter
PHALABORWA-Mopani TVET College is rallying to help build a new home for an elderly blind woman.
Through the assistance of Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality, the college identified the family of Letty Malatjie, a destitute 86-year-old blind woman who is left in the care of her four grandchildren because the house she lives in is dilapidated and not safe for her condition.
As part of Mandela Day initiative, the College held the sod-turning ceremony on Monday, July 11 in Tshubje, Mashishimale village in Ba-Phalaborwa municipality.
The ceremony, which was officiated by the institution’s Principal Dr. Levy Baloyi, marked the laying of a foundation of a house belonging to the destitute pensioner.
Among the attendees were the sponsors of the project, CEDOH Trading, Samreu Security Services, Foskor Mine, Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality.
Ward Councillor, Ms. Sinah Shayi, commended the College for lending a helping hand to the family. “This family has on several occasions applied for an RDP house with no success. We are grateful as the Municipality that the college came through to assist and we remain humbled by such an act of Ubuntu,” said Shayi.
Malatjie told Phalaborwa FM that she appreciated the college for the work they are about to do in her yard. She also thanked the ward councillor for being patient with her through the process of applying for an RDP house. She says she would be happier if she could be assisted with the contents of the house and be gifted a fully furnished house for her and her grandchildren.
In his address, Dr. Baloyi mentioned that a study room will be added to the initial three-bedroom house to afford the four grandchildren an opportunity to study “with no excuses” and in the future be able to change their living situation.
“For the 60 minutes of Mandela Day, we are going to use our hands to assist those who cannot help themselves. We do not have money but we have hands which will assist in building the structure” says Baloyi.
The house will be constructed by the Mopani TVET College brick-laying students in collaboration with the sponsors.
