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Bleak future for orphaned kids

THE children of a 43-year-old Limpopo woman who died on Saturday after being struck by lightning are now facing an uncertain future.

Nomia Chauke of Botsoleni village died on the scene after being struck by lightning while coming from collecting firewood, which she sold as a source of income.

Her second-born child Caswell Chauke, 21, a Grade 8 pupil at Ripambeta High said: "Our father left us some time ago after (a lot of) differences with my mother.

"We looked up to my mother as a father."

He said he had recently learnt that his father is seriously ill in hospital in Johannesburg, so there is no hope of him supporting them.

Nwawachi Chauke, the deceased's aunt said: "She fended for her children by collecting firewood and selling it."

Nwawachi said her niece was a hardwoker who kept the fires burning by also doing part-time jobs in the village.

Chauke's death was one of the two lightning tragedies in Vhembe on the same day.

The other was the death of 24-year-old Constance Novela of Mphambo village, who was struck by lightning in the company of her husband and one-year-old baby.

The women's deaths are the aftermath of raging storms that wreaked havoc, leaving several people in both Vhembe and Mopani districts homeless.

The head of the disaster committee in Thulamela municipality, Elias Chavalala, said more than 200 houses, excluding churches and schools, were damaged in the area - the most affected villages were Makahlule and Botsoleni.

Yesterday a joint committee of Thulamela and Vhembe councillors led by Vhembe district executive mayor Florence Dzhombere visited the area of Maphophe to assess the situation and talk to the affected people.

Dzhombere promised that the municipality would assist the affected families.

Area police spokesman warrant officer Alson Mapidani confirmed the death of the two women.

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