CHRISTMAS came knocking early for gogo Tholakele Sibiya, who will not worry about rainy days anymore.
The 77-year-old gogo from Ngono Village in Nkandla, KZN, received a fully furnished five-roomed house as Mzansi is observing the 16 days of Activism.
Gogo Tholakele is a GBV survivor, but she didn't want to disclose what really happened because she didn't want to have that picture or bring back the trauma she went through.
She was grateful that her tears had been wiped off her face, and now she had a safe shelter over her head.
"I have been praying to have a safe shelter over my head as I'm now very old to stand on my feet for the whole night when it is raining. This house closes all the bleeding wounds that I want to forget about forever," she said.
Gogo Tholakele said the condition of her rondavel was not good and very small for her and the five grandchildren she lives with.
She said that they were packed like sardines but had no other option because they relied on a Sassa grant, which is only enough to buy them groceries.
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"Even if I die today, I'll rest in peace knowing that my grandchildren are left in a safe space and decent house like this. The condition of my old rondavel used to give me sleepless nights because I was thinking what my grandchildren would do when I die," she said.
The house was built and furnished by the friends of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), who are local businesspeople and handed it over to the party to hand it over to her.
IFP provincial chairman Thami Ntuli officially handed over the house to gogo Tholakele and thanked the businesspeople for the marvellous and selfless work they have done.
"It's up to every one of us to stand up and make the little change that would have a big impact on the next person's life. We really appreciate what all the friends of the IFP who ensure that we continue with the mandate that the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi asked us to do, which is to make people's lives better," said Ntuli.
Ntuli vowed to fence the house since it was not fenced to ensure the complete safety of gogo and her grandchildren.
Nkandla Mayor Mbhekiseni Biyela said he will buy groceries for gogo and her grandchildren for the next six months so that they will have a nice Christmas just like everyone.
