BY PHUMELELE GAMEDZE
MBABANE– Swift intervention by the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office has brought hope to a 10 year old boy from Etjebovu in Ngwemphisi who had been carrying the heavy responsibility of caring for his paralysed father while trying to continue with his education.
The case came to the attention of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office after it gained widespread attention on social media, prompting immediate action by the Department of Social Welfare.
Officials visited the family’s homestead to assess their living conditions and found that the situation required urgent intervention. The young boy had been providing daily care for his father, Hlangabeza Mabelesa, who became paralysed in 2024, despite his young age and school commitments.
Following the assessment, the Department of Social Welfare arranged for the child to be placed at the Mankayane Elderly and Disability Care Home, where he will receive proper care, protection and support while continuing with his education.
His father was admitted to Mankayane Government Hospital, where he is receiving medical treatment and professional care.
The Deputy Prime Minister’s Office said the intervention is part of government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable children and ensuring that families facing difficult circumstances receive the assistance they need. Social Welfare officials are continuing to assess the family’s needs to determine what additional support can be provided in the coming weeks.
The intervention has brought renewed hope to the family, whose living conditions had made it difficult for both father and son to cope without assistance.
The case has also highlighted the important role communities and social media can play in bringing vulnerable families to the attention of relevant authorities. It demonstrates the value of reporting cases where children or vulnerable people require urgent assistance.
While the young boy’s devotion to his father touched many people across the country, government intervention now allows him to focus on his childhood and education as trained professionals care for his father’s medical needs.
The Department of Social Welfare remains engaged with the family and will continue monitoring the situation while exploring further assistance aimed at improving their long-term welfare and restoring stability to their lives.
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(Courtesy Pic)
