THEMBISILE HANI – Two vulnerable families in Thembisile Hani have received assistance after ANC Nkangala Region chairperson and Nkangala District Municipality Speaker Cllr Jonas Boshomane visited them as part of the party’s community outreach programme.
Boshomane visited the families in separate wards on Tuesday, 6 October, providing immediate relief and pledging to mobilise support to improve their living conditions.
At Mandlethu in Vlaaglaagte No. 1, Ward 21, he visited Toto Shabangu, who lives with a mental disability and is unable to walk. Shabangu lives in a dilapidated corrugated iron shack.
Community member Dumisani Mabhena, popularly known as Dumi Zalo, brought Shabangu’s circumstances to public attention through a video posted on social media. The video eventually reached the Speaker’s office.
Mabhena said he had known Shabangu since childhood and felt compelled to seek help after seeing his living conditions.
“Seeing him in such a condition, it wasn’t a good thing. That’s why I made the video and posted it on social media,” Mabhena said.
He said he was encouraged to seek assistance after seeing Boshomane previously donate an oxygen machine to a woman in Goaphahla, Siyabuswa.
“I thought if that lady can get help, Mr Shabangu can also be assisted. Today I am grateful that the Speaker came to see the condition that Mr Shabangu is living under,” he said.
Boshomane’s second visit was to Thokoza, Ward 17, where he met Mandlenkosi Ndungwana, who also lives in poor conditions in a shack. Ndungwana was identified by ANC Ward 17 councillor candidate Miriam Mguni.
Ndungwana expressed gratitude for the intervention, saying Boshomane had previously visited him and had now returned, demonstrating his commitment to his earlier promise.
Boshomane was accompanied by ANC volunteers and members of the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO).
He provided the families with immediate relief, including food parcels and shoes, and pledged to mobilise his team and other stakeholders to help build proper homes for both families.
Boshomane said the intervention formed part of what he described as the ANC-led government’s responsibility to support people in need.
“This is part of taking care of our people and giving back to the community. We are not doing this because we are approaching elections, but because it is what is supposed to be done,” Boshomane said.
He said the programme went beyond political affiliation and would extend to other families in need.
“These are not the last people we will assist. We will continue to cater for everyone who is in need. This is not about being a member of the organisation, it is about restoring dignity, showing humanity and bringing back respect to those who are in need,” he said.
Community members welcomed the intervention and praised the leadership’s hands-on approach.
