in KwaNikhwe Ward 17, Bizana, Ntombifikile Ndlela, a grandmother caring for four grandchildren, is living in extreme hardship. Her two-room house, shared by ten family members, is in a fragile condition and offers little privacy or safety. With no stable income besides Child Support Grant, Ndlela faces daily struggles to feed and shelter her family.

What Happened?

Ntombifikile, who arrived in KwaNikhwe in 2003, survives solely on the social grants of her grandchildren. Each month, she sets aside R500 for her matric granddaughter’s rent and food, leaving her with just R250 after covering other expenses, including funeral service payments.

On some days, the family eats only rice with sugar water, and the grandchildren sometimes return from school to find no meal at home. Her deteriorating house shakes during strong winds, with visible cracks threatening their safety.

“There is nothing I can say is working well for me besides thinking about the painful conditions I am living under,” she said with tears in her eyes.

Official Response

Residents say Ward 17 had a tender issued for RDP housing to assist vulnerable families, yet no progress has been seen. Ndlela has not approached her local ward councillor, believing it should be their duty to ensure community well-being.

Local authorities have yet to respond to her situation, but the case emphasized the ongoing housing backlog and poverty affecting many rural households in Alfred Nzo District.

Ndlela’s situation has drawn sympathy from neighbours who often share what little they have. Her story represents a broader struggle faced by many in rural Bizana—families relying on grants, living in unsafe conditions, and waiting for promised government housing.

She hopes that municipal authorities or compassionate donors can step forward to help build a safer, more dignified home for her and her grandchildren. Her greatest desire is to get proper house and some food parcels to feed her grandchildren and is willing to accept any kind of help from anyone.