Parents, siblings perished
TRAGEDY befell 16-year-old Dibuseng Motsekoa and her 13-year-old brother Thato six months ago when a fire gutted their shack and killed their parents and three siblings.
But yesterday they smiled through their tears when they received a modern, four-roomed RDP house from the Sedibeng municipality.
Dibuseng said: "It was really hard to lose our parents and siblings Tebogo, Bongiwe and Nomacebo.
"I will always remember my mother for the jokes she shared with us. She always made us laugh. She used to tell us about her childhood."
The children were orphaned after the death of their father, Veli Makhuma, mother Lettia Motsekoa and three siblings when their shack caught fire on July 17 at the Sicelo informal settlement in Meyerton in the Vaal.
Dibuseng and Thato survived because they were visiting an aunt on the fateful day.
"I was told the following morning by a neighbour that both my parents and siblings had died in a fire that had ravaged our shack," said Dibuseng.
"I felt lost and thought life was going to be bad forever, but now I'm confident of a bright future.
"I want to be a social worker and television presenter because I like people and I saw the value of the life that social workers gave us."
"I want to be a pilot," chirped in the shy Thato.
Apart from losing their family on that Saturday evening, they also lost their school uniforms, books and other personal possessions. Now they have a fully furnished home with running water and electricity. The house is valued at R250000.
"I spent time in hospital because of the shock and trauma," Dibuseng said. "My brother and I received a lot of counselling to help us recover from what happened.
"I'm really grateful to everyone who has helped us."
Fire survivor and jazz musician Thandi Klaasen gave the children some words of wisdom and encouragement.
"When these things happen, people will point fingers and talk about you. In my case (because of my facial burns) people ignore me. Some even dodge me," Klaasen said.
She told them "education is the best thing you can do for yourselves. Never drop out of school, and when you see others in need reach out and give a hand.
"Learn to share and do not point fingers and laugh at others," Klaasen said.
The house in Evaton was presented by the Gauteng local government, housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi and Sedibeng mayor Simon Mofokeng.
The children will live with their aunt Maki Bodibe.
Fire victims get new RDP house
Parents, siblings perished
TRAGEDY befell 16-year-old Dibuseng Motsekoa and her 13-year-old brother Thato six months ago when a fire gutted their shack and killed their parents and three siblings.
But yesterday they smiled through their tears when they received a modern, four-roomed RDP house from the Sedibeng municipality.
Dibuseng said: "It was really hard to lose our parents and siblings Tebogo, Bongiwe and Nomacebo.
"I will always remember my mother for the jokes she shared with us. She always made us laugh. She used to tell us about her childhood."
The children were orphaned after the death of their father, Veli Makhuma, mother Lettia Motsekoa and three siblings when their shack caught fire on July 17 at the Sicelo informal settlement in Meyerton in the Vaal.
Dibuseng and Thato survived because they were visiting an aunt on the fateful day.
"I was told the following morning by a neighbour that both my parents and siblings had died in a fire that had ravaged our shack," said Dibuseng.
"I felt lost and thought life was going to be bad forever, but now I'm confident of a bright future.
"I want to be a social worker and television presenter because I like people and I saw the value of the life that social workers gave us."
"I want to be a pilot," chirped in the shy Thato.
Apart from losing their family on that Saturday evening, they also lost their school uniforms, books and other personal possessions. Now they have a fully furnished home with running water and electricity. The house is valued at R250000.
"I spent time in hospital because of the shock and trauma," Dibuseng said. "My brother and I received a lot of counselling to help us recover from what happened.
"I'm really grateful to everyone who has helped us."
Fire survivor and jazz musician Thandi Klaasen gave the children some words of wisdom and encouragement.
"When these things happen, people will point fingers and talk about you. In my case (because of my facial burns) people ignore me. Some even dodge me," Klaasen said.
She told them "education is the best thing you can do for yourselves. Never drop out of school, and when you see others in need reach out and give a hand.
"Learn to share and do not point fingers and laugh at others," Klaasen said.
The house in Evaton was presented by the Gauteng local government, housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi and Sedibeng mayor Simon Mofokeng.
The children will live with their aunt Maki Bodibe.
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