Life has taken a significant turn for the better for Ms Livhuwani Negondeni, an unemployed single mother from Vhurivhuri-Ngwenani village. She received the keys to her newly constructed four-room house on Tuesday, 8 August. This generous contribution was made possible through a partnership between the Thulamela Local Municipality and local businesspeople.
Negondeni, aged 45, said that she used to pray fervently for the safety of herself, her two children, and two grandchildren, especially during rainy days. The two mud huts they lived in were riddled with cracks, creating a constant fear of imminent collapse. "I am now a content woman because we have a decent, fully furnished home where we can finally sleep in peace. Vhurivhuri-Ngwenani stands as one of the most impoverished villages. Many women here rely on begging or collecting firewood from the wilderness to sell, earning a small amount to provide food for their families," she explained.
For Negondeni, the idea that some compassionate individuals consider the well-being of those unable to uplift themselves is deeply comforting. She plans to celebrate Women's Month (August) with a sense of pride.
Thulamela Mayor Athingozwidivha Rambuda, accompanied by the Rofhiwa Manwadu Foundation, Makompo Holdings in Tshitavha Tsha-Sambandou, and Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli during the hand-over ceremony, emphasised the crucial role women play in caring for their families, particularly in the face of unemployment among many rural women. Mayor Rambuda encouraged ward councillors to identify impoverished households led by women so, that the municipality could extend assistance.
Thovhele Mphaphuli, as a traditional leader and community steward, expressed his satisfaction in witnessing the joint efforts of the government and local businesspeople to improve the lives of struggling community members. Mphaphuli called on the business community, especially those who have been allocated land for development, to consistently consider aiding the needy in their regions. This sentiment aligns with the deeds of Makompo Holdings and the Rofhiwa Manwadu Foundation, who extended their support to the Negondeni family.