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HELP FOR THE HOMELESS: Meshack Makhubele of Gijas Home Improvement Centre, the Manganyi siblings and Khanyisa Combined School pupils in front of the new house. Photos: Victor Hlungwani

FLASHBACK: Ananias, Khensani, Chris, Xitshembiso and Mikateko Manganyi at their house then.

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TWO years ago the pupils of Khanyisa Combined School in Giyani took to the streets selling sweets and chips.

Their mission was to raise money to build a decent home for five orphans living in a ramshackle structure they called home.

Yesterday, the Manganyi siblings - Ananias, 20, Khensani, 19, Chris, 15, Xitshembiso, 12, and Mikateko, 9 - of Ngove village, were handed the keys to a new five-roomed home.

One of the pupils, Kuhlula Mabeza, thanked their teacher Makhanani Bilankulu for her sterling effort in encouraging pupils to help the poor.

A jubilant Ananias Manganye said the new home was God's miracle. "I would like to thank all who decided to help us," he said.

Gijas Home Improvement Centre's Meshack Makhubele said he was inspired by the pupils' commitment. "I invited other members of the business community like Build It to come and help."

Since losing their parents, the siblings have survived by going to the local Drop Centre to get food and on handouts from locals.

When they learnt of the orphans' plight in 2010, the Khanyisa Combined School's "Angels of Mercy" started raising funds.

After Sowetan published the story last year, Gijas Home Improvement Centre, the Mabunda Royal Council and Build It came on board to finish the house.

Comments

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Thu May 23 23:54:53 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 12, 2012

MommaC

:) Now doesn't that just bring a proud lump to your throat :)

We sometimes forget just how spectacular the SA people are.
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Apr 12, 2012

RobinH

This is a marvellous story. Thanks for this follow-up on your earlier article, Sowetan. These children are the salt of the earth. It is superb examples like this that give one hope for this country, which is being so viciously plundered by its leaders.
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Apr 12, 2012

Gaduka

Great Story, brilliant Children....A piece of advice to wena Ananias, now because you have a decent bedroom dont start bringing in Magoshas there, focus on your career so one day u can say your background to some1 with a happy smile on dat old face.
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Apr 12, 2012

Secretary

Where was the Hero the poor. The perfectionist Zuma.
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Apr 12, 2012

Secretary

Kids thinking better than the President,,,mmmmm this is amazing
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Apr 12, 2012

Pointman

Don't know what to say to these kids and thier teacher. Can there be people with a better heart than theirs.
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Apr 12, 2012

clipa20

these are the kind of people we should be considering for future leaders, not those who inrich themselves and define their own lives only... BLOODY IDIOTS!!!
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Apr 12, 2012

Firefly

Aaaaaaahhh. This really was sweet.

Maar how can a 20 year old and 19 year old allow themselves to live in such a room? They could have built a better mud hut than that one.
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Apr 12, 2012

Mrazane

Beautiful story indeed, the kids are really caring and may God richly bless all involved in this project. Only one damper as pointed out by Firefly, the older siblings need to pull up their socks - it is either they are lazy or they are overwhelmed by their circumstances, maybe local social workers can counsel them and point them in the right direction in terms of study and work opportunities so that they can start working towards uplifting themselves.
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Apr 12, 2012

TKay

and where is the government?
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