Life has not been easy for a 60-year-old Mkhulu who lives alone in a small dilapidated shack.
Robert Masuku says his life took on a very painful turn after his wife left him 10 years ago. This old man is sick and has no one to look after him. He is not working and therefore makes money from doing piece jobs around his community.
Robert Masuku in front of his dilapidated shack. PHOTO BY TWNA
“I am not enjoying life like other people since the condition of my house is not good. It is very bad now because its winter – the cold wind enters the gaps of my shack,” says Masuku.
Masuku’s house is made up of mud and old wood. The floor is dusty, hardened ground, which he says affects his health. The roof of the shack leaks and when it rains, water gets inside the house and everything gets wet.
“During the time of local council election, there were people who told me to fill forms and even assured me that I will get a house – but I waited until I got tired but those people never came back to me,” says Masuku.
Masuku says he earned the government sick grant but it was cut-off because he failed to re-register his grant due to financial problems. “I was receiving my sick grant money but it got terminated because they needed residential letters and that prevented me from being able to re-register,” he says.
“I wish I can get help so I can be able to get grant money as it really helped me,” he pleaded. Masuku says he is suffering from different ailments, which limit him from doing hard labour. This also worsens his financial problems. Masuku, stated emotionally that he sometimes goes to bed with an empty stomach.
Masuku’s plight attracted a young man who came in to try to help. Tshitso Mofokeng who is a project manager by profession and also an up and coming businessman helps Masuku with food and other household goods.
“I sometimes help Mkhulu through the salary and the money I make from my company (Paper Cut Holdings). My help is not enough for Mkhulu because he needs a house and enough money to look after himself,” says Mofokeng.
“I really appreciate the help that this young man has been providing to me. I wish I can get a house so I can sleep without fear,” concluded Masuku.
*This article was written by Constance Sithole, a journalist of TWNA for Kasi Express