GOGO Josephine Malatji (69) called the rain a blessing from God, but then the water started filling up in her yard and flooding her shack.
The rain on Monday, 27 December has turned gogo’s yard in Hammanskraal, Tshwane into a dam.
In a very heartbreaking video captured by her nephew, gogo Josephine is seen walking in a pool of water inside her shack, taking comfort from Rebecca Malope’s song Ngifihla Kuwe playing in the background.
Rebecca saw the video with her gospel song playing in the background and felt sorry for the gogo and wished she could have done something for her.
“This is a prayer song to give people hope. I’m imagining the trauma and suffering she was going through as she was asking God to help her while listening to my song,” said Malope. Gogo Josephine said she needed help.
“I’m appealing for a stand and a house where I can be safe and live a peaceful life,” she said.
Josephine’s sister, Martha Mailula, said it was sad Josephine is suffering like this, especially at her age.
Hammanskraal residents said the rain was not only affecting their homes, but also their businesses.
Resident Elias Dube (61) from Mashimong said every year they had to fight water in their homes.
“We have been pleading with the municipality for houses, but nothing has happened,” he said.
Local businessman Kagiso Mokau (38) said he was losing customers because no one was prepared to walk in the water to buy his goods.
South African National Civic Organisation secretary Thabo Mashilo appealed to government to help gogo Josephine.
“Josephine must be moved to a better area so that she can live peacefully,” said Mashilo.
“We need storm water pipes.”
He also said they would protest to show their anger.
Tshwane Emergency Service’s deputy chief Charles Mabaso said: “Five houses were reported to have flooded in Kanana Village and one shack in Majaneng, Hammanskraal.”
He said firefighters channelled the water away from the shack by digging a trench and a disaster management official has been sent to assess the situation and co-ordinate relief by escalating the request to the relevant service departments.
