Both mother and daughter are paralysed, deaf and dumb. They depend on state grants. But despite their predicament, thieves in the area often took advantage of them to steal whatever they had, leaving them with nothing to eat. Now help has been provided..
THE lives of a destitute Limpopo family changed for the better after they were given a new house this week - coinciding with the goodwill spirit and events being held worldwide to mark Nelson Mandela Day.
Grace Rasealoka, 47, and her four-year-old daughter Mabu have been living in a dilapidated mud-house at Lephepane village near Lenyenye outside Tzaneen.
Both mother and daughter are paralysed, deaf and dumb. They depend on state grants.
But despite their predicament, thieves in the area often took advantage of them to steal whatever they had, leaving them with nothing to eat.
According to Fridah Rasealoka-Patji, sister of the disabled woman, Grace would buy 24 loaves of bread for her and her daughter when she got paid because she could not go to the local shops everyday.
"My sister would share the bread with her daughter until they ran out of stock.
"It would only be after the arrival of a family member that they would eat fresh food," said the sister.
The plight of the family was highlighted by SABC's Changing Lives, which had been informed by a local councillor in May.
Since then, the provincial department of cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs had vowed to do everything in its power to build the family a proper house.
Firstly, the two were moved to stay with relatives in the neighbourhood while the house was being built for them.
With the help of Selby Construction, a prominent construction company in the province, the department managed to build a three-bedroom, fully-furnished house which it donated to the family yesterday.
Speaking during a handover ceremony, MEC Clifford Motsepe said it was part of his contribution to the 67 minutes dedicated to Mandela's legacy.
"As we celebrate the life and times of Madiba let us not forget to look after those with disabilities," Motsepe said yesterday.
He donated food parcels to the family, and also promised to work hard to ensure that the government got a school to accommodate Rasealoka's young daughter Mabu.
This was because it was discovered that she was responding well to the environment.
Local chief Mogotla Mogoboya said he was grateful for the donation given to the family.
A better life for destitute family
Both mother and daughter are paralysed, deaf and dumb. They depend on state grants. But despite their predicament, thieves in the area often took advantage of them to steal whatever they had, leaving them with nothing to eat. Now help has been provided..
THE lives of a destitute Limpopo family changed for the better after they were given a new house this week - coinciding with the goodwill spirit and events being held worldwide to mark Nelson Mandela Day.
Grace Rasealoka, 47, and her four-year-old daughter Mabu have been living in a dilapidated mud-house at Lephepane village near Lenyenye outside Tzaneen.
Both mother and daughter are paralysed, deaf and dumb. They depend on state grants.
But despite their predicament, thieves in the area often took advantage of them to steal whatever they had, leaving them with nothing to eat.
According to Fridah Rasealoka-Patji, sister of the disabled woman, Grace would buy 24 loaves of bread for her and her daughter when she got paid because she could not go to the local shops everyday.
"My sister would share the bread with her daughter until they ran out of stock.
"It would only be after the arrival of a family member that they would eat fresh food," said the sister.
The plight of the family was highlighted by SABC's Changing Lives, which had been informed by a local councillor in May.
Since then, the provincial department of cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs had vowed to do everything in its power to build the family a proper house.
Firstly, the two were moved to stay with relatives in the neighbourhood while the house was being built for them.
With the help of Selby Construction, a prominent construction company in the province, the department managed to build a three-bedroom, fully-furnished house which it donated to the family yesterday.
Speaking during a handover ceremony, MEC Clifford Motsepe said it was part of his contribution to the 67 minutes dedicated to Mandela's legacy.
"As we celebrate the life and times of Madiba let us not forget to look after those with disabilities," Motsepe said yesterday.
He donated food parcels to the family, and also promised to work hard to ensure that the government got a school to accommodate Rasealoka's young daughter Mabu.
This was because it was discovered that she was responding well to the environment.
Local chief Mogotla Mogoboya said he was grateful for the donation given to the family.
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