Wed May 22 07:08:12 SAST 2013

Destitute woman sleeps in a toilet... and sometimes under a tree

Jun 29, 2012 | Sibongile Mashaba Mpumalanga Correspondent | 99 comments

FOR more than four years Maria Maphanga of Nyonganeh Trust, near Hazyview in Mpumalanga, has been sleeping in a toilet and sometimes under a tree.

Comments

Wed May 22 07:08:13 SAST 2013 ::
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Mellow

Mpumalanga department of social development has since visited the woman
..............................................................................................................................
fck damnation!!! must they always act after being approched by media oohhh this Gov. is just full of crap period, only now they are willing to help the poor woman disgusting!!!
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

lindsay

but why didn't she build another shack then, what happen to the material of the previous shack?
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Limpopoist

SABC2 news 8H30 wenday night..... (SABC touching life)

Sowetan : please report new news than repeating from other source
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

cocolucho

@lindsay
Thats exactly what I was thinking, build another shack. Some people are just lazy, what does she do the whole day. Build yourself a shack!
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

DeOvi

2day is friday sowetan we need 2day's news,n pls sowetan seach ur own stories dont do copy n paste.
either way @lindsay and cocolucho u r ryt wer r the materials,xe xud hav used them,not only men can build.xe can also do dat with help 4rm neighbours.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

MrsMba

@Mellow good question, why is that everytime the newspaper or SABC has to show these things before our ''Precious Gov'' reacts. Let's hope this old lady gets help. @ Lindsay maybe she didnt have the material.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

DeOvi

@MrsMba
@Mellow good question, why is that everytime the newspaper or SABC has to show these things before our ''Precious Gov'' reacts. Let's hope this old lady gets help. @ Lindsay maybe she didnt have the material.
----------------------------
where did the previous material go,the 1 dat colapsed???
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Sugaar

cocolucho
@lindsay
Thats exactly what I was thinking, build another shack. Some people are just lazy, what does she do the whole day. Build yourself a shack!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can't blame this woman you know that most of San's women depends on men they can't even think for themselves,what they know is to open their legs finish and klaar.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

BaleliM

Ok, why is the community waiting for the Govt to do something for this woman. Is the community so heartless that they can not come together to help their own? Why do we always wants someone else to do something when we as a people are capable of helping. Be the change you want to see in others!!
We need to stop this victim mentality and do something.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Mmarena

Maphanga, who originally comes from Kgautswane in Limpopo, said she sometimes slept in her neighbours' homes and yards.
***************************************************************************************************************
Anyone from Kgautswane can you assist to trace her relatives maybe?
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Louloubaby

please man, this woman is lazy, people should stop thinking that the government owes them, damn, she is sitting in the toilet with her finger in her nose (digging for God knows what) and she wants someone to come and build a house for her, lazy to think i say
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

MGEEZ

Hayi bo; how is this going to happen in country like hours were free houses are built for the poor????? Lusizi olu lumi lodwa. Can our social development intervene on this matter urgently, please!!!
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Mellow

Those who says why didnt she build another shack from the very same material guess they've never stayed in shacks and honestly now she has very kind neighbours who were helping her dont you think if there was ever something to redeem from the collapsed shack they would've rebuild the shack? Like seriously now ppl
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

nwamathebula01

hayi mani nwina vanhu mavulavula mivulaku mikhegulu loyi anga lava ku tlela toilet,why minga tekeli vanhu vanwani nhlokweni,plz help magogo in time
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Secretary

FOR more than four years
..................................................................
Where was Zuma?
Ooo maybe you are not connected to him via your daughter
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Firefly

Maar why cant people do things for themselves? In 4 years the community could not help her rebuild another shack?
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Mellow

@Baleli I truly believe the community have tried some situations are just bad period thus they approached relevant ppl for assistance, this poor woman chose to sleep in a toilet just because she is tired of bothering ppl doesnt it count for something? Im sure if there was more she could do to save herself from this horrible situation then she would
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

maditaba

Young people who are reckless and irresponsible usually end up like this woman. Kgautswane is not that far from Hazyview she could go home
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Mellow

@Firefly so now its the responsibility of the community right? Yeah right lets blame the community the very same ppl who gave her place to sleep and food of plate but sure they could've done more right like reporting the matter to the local councillor like they did so exactly why would you want to blame the community?


Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

DeOvi

Secretary
FOR more than four years
..................................................................
Where was Zuma?
Ooo maybe you are not connected to him via your daugh
------------------------------------------------
the question xud be directed to Mbeki cos he was around dat time
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

WordofGod

am tearing...this is sad
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

MissBhakajuju

@DeOvi

no, the question should be directed at her children & family, no government is to blame for this.

she must just tell the whole truth, on how she ended up like this,
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

MommaC

Why do we have Councillors? They don't do anything unless the story appears in a newspaper.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Sentle

I believe as people we should learn to offer help to one another.It is the responsibility of us young people to help our elderly ones.Building a shack for this woman was gonna be proove that sisonke and we are people of ubuntu.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

DeOvi

MissBhakajuju
@DeOvi

no, the question should be directed at her children & family, no government is to blame for this.

she must just tell the whole truth, on how she ended up like this,
------------------------------------
Ma Champ i know but jus want to clarify to Secretary dat if he wants to blame gov,he must blame mbeki not zuma....am not blamin gov on this one skat
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

MommaC

How can people blame the family or the community for this?
Building the poor woman a shack isn't going to get her an ID book, an old age grant or on the housing list. She is old, she has contributed to SA her whole life and now she deserves to have some payback. These young puppies should be at the back of the line and these old folk should be a priority
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

cocolucho

@sugaar
As much as I feel sorry for this woman, I really believe that she could have done something for herself. She could have used the material to try and build something. I also want to know how she has managed to feed herself in the past two years.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Papage

Build a house or take her inn, not a shack, she is old for God sake.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

WarrenG

At least she has a toilet to sleep in...as we know some people have no toilets at all... so where can they sleep?
Only under trees.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

ntebo

Just a question, first pic is she picking her nose?
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

WarrenG

@ntebo
Yes. food for thought
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

2nevvy4u

Sentle
I believe as people we should learn to offer help to one another.It is the responsibility of us young people to help our elderly ones.Building a shack for this woman was gonna be proove that sisonke and we are people of ubuntu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
building her a shack doesnt assure her safety and well being mina i say donate money so that she can go back home and try to sort her birth papers out so that she can get pension.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

MORNACH!ES015

Sad story ...so why mara a kena menwana ko dinkong ?
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

2nevvy4u

MORNACH!ES015
Sad story ...so why mara a kena menwana ko dinkong ?
------------------------------------------------------------
go and ask mmmao!!
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

MORNACH!ES015

Wena entlik wa mbora wa tseba......lerago la mma.go le go paloga !
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

SedibengH2O

khumbul'ekhaya
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Sentle

@2nevvy4u
Go home where?
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

MORNACH!ES015

@Coweditor,
What happened to Sis Dolly's article today ?The sexless Nevus want to compete
so that he can go and use his right hand in peace pls !
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

2nevvy4u

Sentle
@2nevvy4u
Go home where?
---------------------------------------------
Limpopo didnt you read the article?
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

lerotse

Mellow that is what the ANC govenment is all about .They created Dept of Monitoring and Evaluation for what . Every time they wait for something to happen then they start creating something for that .They want to stop media from confroting thier corruption they only realise things after the media has reported .WERE ARE WE GOING WITH THIS.Why do we always have to VOTE for them .What was discussed /plan in exile had never happened .Mandela was so tiered of being in jail that he sold land and minerals to whites and then receive a noble price for taking care of europeans in Africa .This is not what was agreed upon. WERE IN EUROPE HAVE YOU SEEN AN AFRICAN OWNING 80% OF LAND .WERE ?
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Timza1

Peolpe if you do not know what to comment on, just save your energy and keep quite. "Some people are just lazy, what does she do the whole day. Build yourself a shack!". how can you say that the old lady must build herself a shack? you are an embarasment to your self and you must learn to respect.

Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Sentle

@2nevvy4u
I think that's here you come in.Go to that place in Limpopo and ask if there's someone who might know this woman.After you have asked few questions, call me to inform me. In the mean time, i'll buy an ID for her(that's the help i can give).
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Mofida

You must actually be Mmmarona not Mmarena.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

2nevvy4u

Sentle
@2nevvy4u
I think that's here you come in.Go to that place in Limpopo and ask if there's someone who might know this woman.After you have asked few questions, call me to inform me. In the mean time, i'll buy an ID for her(that's the help i can give).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
why me mapetsana a gasagasane le Afrika Borwa yana?
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Sentle

@2nevvy4u
Gape i'm one of mapetsana ao.Lets buy her clothes.I know you got paid today.
Romela zaka ka shoprite.

Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

MGEEZ

Another neighbour, Thandi Mdluli, says they have spoken to local councillors but they have done nothing to help Maphanga.
"It is cold at night. The councillors know about her situation but are not helping her at all. All of us do not have houses but her case is a matter of life," Mdluli says.
==========================================================================
This is how the ANC is treating it's electorate; please remember this and visualize this lady the next time you have to cast your vote!!!! Remember that voting the ANC means joblessness, lawlessness; black domination; corruption; injustice for the poor and all that is wrong with our society!!!
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

DeOvi

Timza1
Peolpe if you do not know what to comment on, just save your energy and keep quite. "Some people are just lazy, what does she do the whole day. Build yourself a shack!". how can you say that the old lady must build herself a shack? you are an embarasment to your self and you must learn to respect.

----------------------------------
we r not saying xe xuld build da xak on her own bt @ least do sumtin with the remainder of materials,xe xud hav asked men around her do to so not to sit 4 more than 4 years siting the whole day
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Ann

sad hey
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Skopokopo

Eish mama shame. Why dont she try to find her relatives mara? She should have used the opportunity of being on TV and request the public to find her family. This is so sad!!
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

2nevvy4u

Sentle
@2nevvy4u
Gape i'm one of mapetsana ao.Lets buy her clothes.I know you got paid today.
Romela zaka ka shoprite.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i dont know gore o dom or wa pretenda,diaparo di tla thusa ka eng?Mme o tlamehile a khutlele hae finish (there is no place like home)


Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Sentle

@2nevvy4u
You must stop pretending because i know you've already called me dom, wena akere?
Okay, you don't want to buy her clothes, how can you help then?
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

www.insurance-direct.co.za

Government cant do everything for us. Lets learn to think and make a plan
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Tabza325is

I wonder how do people expect this old lady to build her own shack, the youth of today...
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Ment'o

Then the ANC says the poverty figures are being exaggerated, what the f#ck is this now? Boeing what what for the spear while this is hapening thats bullsh!t.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

2nevvy4u

Sentle
@2nevvy4u
You must stop pretending because i know you've already called me dom, wena akere?
Okay, you don't want to buy her clothes, how can you help then?
--------------------------------------------------------------
by wishing her all the best.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Sugaar

Tabza325is
I wonder how do people expect this old lady to build her own shack, the youth of today...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That woman she not old,is just that o feditje ke lerete.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Sentle

@2nevvy4u
Stingy man
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Lehido

....and yet Zuma is getting a R2 billion plane?.....Really now?....

If she had an ID before she can be helped mos, If her name and surname are still in the system, they should be able to search that mos.....

Doesn't she have relatives or something?
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

2nevvy4u

Sentle
@2nevvy4u
Stingy man
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
mara ka mnyakazo gona ka fana,mme o a ka thola thuso go zcc mapedi le mapetsana a mantsi koo,ba tla mo fa zaka ya go tana bus ya vaal maseru.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Sentle

@2nevvy4u
So, o batla go fa mme o mnyakazo?
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

cocolucho

@all
Just thought that I should let you know that our great president with such excellent morals has had the defence ministry buy him a R2 billion plane. Hope this woman will enjoy the sight of such an amazing plane, that our president so desperately needs.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

2nevvy4u

ke batla go tlhotlhora wena and e seng gannyane.Ke go kumule o tswe lekoro
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Sentle

Shame on you Baba mnyakazo.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Mas-culin

Andile from Khumbul'ekhaya where are you? You are needed here...


masculinnkosi_gmail
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Rakgadi-Tabeya

I saw this story in the news yesterday and I was really touched.

Mara Maphanga le yena ke mahlalisana a eng a tsofetse, now o setse a le one and I suspect sale a tshaba legae kgale no wonder a sa ikitse le gore ke ngwana leng eish batho ba rona. Khumbulekaya must come to her rescue.

Meantime ge goromente a ko re swabise le wena o etse mosebetsi, what happened to the "poor" being given first priority, talk about porverty eradication!!!
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

2nevvy4u

shame on you.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Di-Anne

There where she is at Hazyview, thewhole of Bushbuckridge, phiring Leboeng, Kgautswane there is a lot of Maphanga's and they are all related........mmmmhhh I doubt why after she left she never went to visit her family again!!! she ends up sleeping in pit toilets, aowa magogo bolela nnete. very much like she went missing and her family never bothered to find her
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

MGEEZ

cocolucho
@all
Just thought that I should let you know that our great president with such excellent morals has had the defence ministry buy him a R2 billion plane. Hope this woman will enjoy the sight of such an amazing plane, that our president so desperately needs.
=========================================================================
The sooner we get rid of these people from power the better (ANC and it alliance partrners) for the future of this country and that of our children's children
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

nxm

Maphanga might be from Zimbabwe, that is why there are no relative her in SA. This woman is a liar, she only needs our government to produce an ID for her so that she can get a gov grant/RDP.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

swona

our president will get a gift of B2rands of a boeing and he will accept it graciously, yet poverty gives him sleepless nights, how many houses can B2rands build?
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

ntshware-ke-yawa

shame,wasn't there another man to love her,eish banna le bona , I blame them on this one,ba feletse mabyaleng ba bohle nowadays.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

JB$

And Zuma is buying a plane for 2bn after a few months they'll be building an airport @ Nkandla
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

JB$

2bn can build 40 000 houses what needs to is to print flyers in all 11 languages distribute them to all townships in a helicopter tell the people that their president is buying a plane while they don't have clean water,living in shacks
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

MGEEZ

JB$
2bn can build 40 000 houses what needs to is to print flyers in all 11 languages distribute them to all townships in a helicopter tell the people that their president is buying a plane while they don't have clean water,living in shacks
================================================================

What do you suppose that is going to help? South Africans like the status qou and if you do not believe it wait until the next elections and see who are they going to vote for!!!!
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Dandan

JB$
MGEEZ


I does nt mean that when you are educated you are intelligent , some people are below average having gone to schools like you.

I dont understand whats the problem with airport at Nkandla since it will create jobs like security,cleaners,engineers,cashiers etc. with you you cannt see that.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

spatch

There was an old lady who lived in a toilet
I donated her a kettle
But she was unable to boil it.

One day Jacob flew over in his new R2 billion jet and looked down, saw her plight and ordered Jabulani to ensure that Eskom hooked her up with some electricity.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Bra_NeatDick

@Sowetan - out of all the picture your cameraman took, you then chose pic where the magogo is picking her nose - aggg sies maan.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Nheffiana

I dont think its about being lazy,when she doesnt even know her age how wud she think of building a shack???What if she's out of her mind?The poor woman shame even said she didnt wanna bother neighbours and surely she has good neighbours...thank you neighbours for helping this granny,l hope the government will build a house not a shack because it does build houses for other people.4years staying outside and in the toilet is too much she needs a well furnished house and enjoy herself.Thanks God she never got sick of illnesses like ''tb''pneumonia,etc.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Dandan

nxm
Maphanga might be from Zimbabwe, that is why there are no relative her in SA. This woman is a liar, she only needs our government to produce an ID for her so that she can get a gov grant/RDP.
----------------------------------------------------------

well said, no south african without relatives, no sister,no cousin, never
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

spatch

Maybe its a small outside room, I cant see the toilet or cistern.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

spatch

She can make money by renting the space hourly to couples who go behind garage or in the bushes, and get hijacked and mugged.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

MGEEZ

@Dandan
JB$
MGEEZ
I does nt mean that when you are educated you are intelligent , some people are below average having gone to schools like you.
I dont understand whats the problem with airport at Nkandla since it will create jobs like security,cleaners,engineers,cashiers etc. with you you cannt see that.
======================================================================

What are you on about? how did my user name get mixed up with the above statements from yourself?
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

spatch

Its so cold maybe her finger is frozen stuck up her nose?

Or Breakfast?
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

spatch

One frozen Microwave dinner coming up?
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Dandan

MGEEZ

usdomo wena maan
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

spatch

There was n old lady with finger stuck up her nose
She was also able to scratch her a$$ with any of her toes.
Why she lived in toilet the lord only nose.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

CHARMAMA

this woman ube kuphi all along,children hubby, family nothing.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Punkies

Did they have to show this gogo pic digging her nose..YaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaKkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

MGEEZ

Dandan
MGEEZ
usdomo wena maan
==================================================================
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahaha
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Hosinkulu

If I was on Zuma's shoes, I will sop buying R2bln Jet.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

mthosam

Until PPL know that when they say ladies are just openning their legs, even their mothers did, then they will respect women. reasonable citizens will ascertain the situation of the lady before drawing stupid lines. she happened to have here own shack, who knows maybe lindsay &cocoluch' s fathers are responsible for stealing the remains of the shack.

PPL we will never be the same, thus why we need helping hands.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Printa

If this is a village as your article points out, you dont need a house. She needs soil, water, grass and hends from neighbors. If she has nothing, all these people can make mud bricks and other cut grass. Mpumalanga has trees. The government must help with her ID period.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

1937

You need an Orlando Pirates membership form mama.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

Mporoz

I wonder if there are no neigbhours next to her site! What happened to the spirit of UBuntu?

I'm sure she did some gud things during her time and she deserve some Gud from the world!!
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 29, 2012

TonyToniTone98

Comrade JZ dont buy the R2Billion Boieng and give that money to the poor so that you can sleep well at night you MF!
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 30, 2012

CONCERNER

Much of a new democratic South Africa...suffering are the very same people whom fought for the democracy enjoyed by those in power and doing nothing but only empowering themselves...disgusting government.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 30, 2012

puda

i think south africans are now becoming lazy and blaming everything on the goverment. i feel for her that she has no shelter and id but where the hell is her family or maybe khumbulekhaya should be invited to the party?
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jun 30, 2012

lekker2012

Shame shame Shame! if the government can provide resources than ppl will not be living like this. It is ridiculous and make me sick to my stomach to see that even elders in this country are suffering like this and we apparently have a government, We don't have homeless shelters or any other safe place that homeless people can go to, instead of buying a private jet mr President please help the ppl who voted for you.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Jul 1, 2012

BigDick

Mpumalanga provrncial government is a disgrace.
Report Abuse

Read all 99 comments

Your Subscription

The SowetanLIVE Network