After years of hardship and loss, an 86-year-old grandmother from Thaba-Tseka has finally found peace and laughter in her new home.
During a recent visit to the district, Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane handed over 19 newly built houses to families affected by natural disasters. The initiative, led by the Disaster Management Authority (DMA), aims to restore dignity and stability to households that lost their homes to heavy rains and strong winds.
Among the recipients was ‘Mapuseletso Tšiu, who could not hide her joy and gratitude. After the floods destroyed her home three years ago, she endured a long period of displacement and uncertainty. Each of the new houses, costing about M150,000, represents more than just shelter; it is a promise of renewed hope for families like hers.
Tšiu recalls vividly how violent storms swept through Ha-Tšiu, tearing down her home and scattering her few possessions. Left with nothing, she moved in with relatives, only to lose more belongings along the way. The experience was especially painful for her three-year-old great-granddaughter, who struggled to understand why they could not return home.
“It was a difficult time,” she said softly. “Everything I had built over the years was gone. I had to start all over again.”
For three long years, she lived with the emotional scars of that loss. The memories of the storm and the sense of helplessness it brought continued to haunt her. However, through it all, her determination never wavered. She drew strength from her faith, her community, and the hope that one day life would change.
That day finally came. One sunny morning, she received a call from the DMA informing her that she would be getting a new home. The journey to that moment had not been easy, but when she stepped into her new house for the first time, the weight of the past began to lift.
Her new home, wired for electricity, is more than she ever dreamed possible.
“I never thought I’d see the day,” she exclaimed, tears of joy glistening in her eyes.
As she and her great-granddaughter walked through the freshly painted rooms, the child’s laughter filled the space, echoing a sense of renewal and freedom that had long been missing from their lives.
For ‘Mapuseletso, the new house is not just a structure of bricks and mortar; it is a symbol of resilience. Each day, she looks forward to connecting with electricity and fully settling in, believing that light, both literal and spiritual, has finally returned to her life.
However, as she reflects on her journey, she cannot forget the despair she once felt when her pleas for help went unanswered.
“At the time, I just wanted my belongings to be protected,” she said. “But our local leaders turned a blind eye. Still, I am grateful. What matters most is that we survived, and that my home, though new, carries the spirit of the one I lost.”
Summary
- One sunny morning, she received a call from the DMA informing her that she would be getting a new home.
- The journey to that moment had not been easy, but when she stepped into her new house for the first time, the weight of the past began to lift.
- As she and her great-granddaughter walked through the freshly painted rooms, the child’s laughter filled the space, echoing a sense of renewal and freedom that had long been missing from their lives.
Thoboloko Ntšonyane is a dedicated journalist who has contributed to various publications. He focuses on parliament, climate change, human rights, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), health, business and court reports. His work inspires change, triggers dialogue and also promote transparency in a society.
