PHESHEYA IAN KUNENE
MBABANE – It was a day of joy and laughter at Mafucula when Deputy Prime Minister Thulisisle Dladla handed over a newly built house to an elderly woman.
The DPM officially presented the three-room house to Gogo Sibongile Vilakati, 68, who previously resided in a slum at Mgidzangcunu near Maphiveni with her nine children and grandchildren.
During the official handover, Dladla promised to take care of the elderly people in the country by building more houses for all those in need of proper homes across the country.
Excitement was the order of the day as Gogo Vilakati entered her new home in Mafucula, located within Mhlume Inkhundla, which she will be sharing with her daughter and five grandchildren. It was reported that her situation was brought to the DPM’s attention, and assessments were conducted in February of this year. During her speech, Dladla revealed that the Eswatini Government, through the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), funded the construction of this house.
“I felt too ashamed before. Hearing about the DPM handing over houses for others, I wondered if my turn would ever come. Today, I am filled with pride for my new home, and my children now have a place to call their own,” Gogo Sibongile Vilakati expressed.
The DPM showed appreciation to the various sponsors whose contributions have enabled her office, in collaboration with the NDMA, to build more homes for those in need. She reiterated that every LiSwati deserves a decent living space.
“No one should have to live in conditions like those in Mgidzangcunu and Etingulubeni, especially young children. They deserve to grow up in a safe and secure environment. With the funds we receive from our partners, we aim to construct homes for such families,” the DPM committed.
In addition to the house, the DPM donated food, a wheelchair, and a walking frame for Gogo. The Deputy Prime Minister’s Office will also supply the family with indigenous chickens.
The handover ceremony was met with joy and excitement from the Mafucuta community, as the elderly woman expressed her gratitude for the DPM’s efforts to improve the lives of elderly people in the country. The Inkhundla pledged to purchase a new bed for the family.
The DPM insisted that she was committed to the task of looking after the elderly people as building proper houses for the elderly people was in line with the king’s vision to see Eswatini reaching the First World status.
