Lerato Makuwe, a 46-year-old woman from Klipgat, North West, is making an urgent plea for an RDP house, citing the dire condition of her family’s three-roomed home.
Lerato’s living conditions are so precarious that she feels as though she is effectively living outdoors. Nearly a decade ago, the Madibeng Local Municipality constructed a toilet on her family’s property, with the promise of a future RDP house. However, despite the passage of time, this promise remains unfulfilled.
If the toilet were larger, Lerato says she would have considered living there to escape the dilapidated state of their home, which she fears is on the verge of collapsing. Her concerns were tragically underscored on October 20, 2024, when a severe storm, accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds, destroyed much of their property, including the roof of their already fragile home, leaving them exposed to the elements. “The rain destroyed what little we had, including the food we managed to keep,” Lerato said.
Without a steady income and no means to repair the house, Lerato, who has lost both her parents, faces an increasingly difficult reality. She lives with her 14-year-old daughter, surviving on a meager social grant of R510 from her daughter and R350 from her own disability allowance. “This is painful,” she said.
Lerato moved back to her parents’ home in 2020, seeking stability but instead finding her family’s living conditions in worsening disrepair. “My biggest wish is to have a better home before Christmas,” she said, highlighting the urgency of her situation. “I don’t feel okay. I’m living outside. If it rains, I feel like I might as well move into the toilet.”
Her 52-year-old neighbor, who also faces similar challenges, has added her voice to the plea for assistance. “We’re hoping the authorities will hear Lerato’s cry for help,” the neighbor said. “An RDP house would be a huge relief for them.”
The Madibeng Local Municipality has acknowledged the situation. Spokesperson Tumelo Tshabalala stated that they are investigating the matter and will provide feedback once all relevant information has been verified.
For Lerato, every day spent in their current living conditions is a painful reminder of her family’s struggle for dignity and security.
