EVER since she got sick, each day is a struggle for Mamohale Sekopane (59).
Diagnosed with epilepsy, Mamohale also has high blood pressure and relies on prescribed medication. She is unable to do things on her own. She sits at home as she can’t walk long distances, sit or walk in the sun, or sit next to a fire or stove.
She asked her daughter in Gauteng for help, who sent one of Mamohale’s granddaughters to look after her. But then the gogo from Ga-Sekgopo Village outside Modjadjiskloof would wake up and find nothing to eat, so she could not take her medication. She told her doctor, who threatened her granddaughter. The granddaughter then did help her gogo, but not for long.
She told Daily Sun: “My life is a living hell. I’m tired of living this way and feel like God has turned his back on me. I need help.”
She said her daughter sends grocery money every month. “My granddaughter uses the money for her own use. She buys maize meal only and there is nothing I can do because she is stronger than me.” She said she has to eat porridge with morogo from her yard.
Mamohale has applied for a disability grant three times without luck. Sassa spokesman Zwannda Kutama said the grant is awarded to people unfit to work in the labour market. “The determination is made by a doctor who can confirm whether the person is disabled.”
The SunTeam couldn’t get hold of the granddaughter as she was writing exams.
