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The backlog in housing development is a huge challenge facing poverty-stricken families in the Eastern Cape. Rural communities that are prone to natural disasters like hail storms and tornadoes are the worst affected by this backlog.
The Pato family at Mandileni Village in Ngqeleni is one such family. One of their two mud structures collapsed late last year and they are now forced to use a dilapidated mud rondavel.
The Pato family is living under unsafe conditions as both their houses were brought down by a storm.
Two young mothers and their four children share an unsafe mud structure. Adding to their woes is that they cannot access government services as they all don’t have identity documents or birth certificates.
One of the struggling siblings, Nomanene Pato, says she does odd jobs in order to put food on the table.
“My sister and I never had IDs. From what we were told our mother was not well mentally. Our children also do not have birth certificates. We are not working. Sometimes, I sell firewood which I get from the forest to get a few cents so I can feed my family. I wish I could be assisted.”
Extended family members, like Nokuphumla Mphikwa, sometimes lend a helping hand to the Pato family.
“Last year, in the evening, they came to my house telling me that the other house had collapsed. I asked them to spend the night with me. When we came here I saw that the house had collapsed. I asked someone to patch it with old corrugated iron sheets.”
Villagers and neighbours also assist the family where they can. “Sometimes as residents, we intervene and give them something to eat,” says one resident.
“They once came and told me they had nothing to eat. When I came I saw that they really had nothing to eat so I gave them something,” says another resident.
The provincial government has promised to look into the matter. Human Settlements Department Spokesperson, Masiza Mazizi, says they have sent their teams to assess the situation at the Pato homestead.
“Immediately, when we heard about this we didn’t waste time. We came here together with officials from Nyandeni Local Municipality and with Sassa. We assess here and very soon we will erect a temporary structure whilst we’re looking for a permanent solution.”
Social Development Spokesperson in the OR Tambo District, Yamasakhe Nonxuba, concedes the family’s woes need urgent intervention.
“The situation has affected the Pato family emotionally. Assessment and counseling services were rendered by social workers from the social development Ngqeleni services office. The department also delivered food parcels as the family is struggling to make ends meet.”
The Home Affairs Department has also promised to visit the family to assist in getting their identity documents.
