Gogo’s home a fresh start
A community development group in Paarl established to improve the lives of families of political activists has seen success.
|||Cape Town - A community development group in Paarl established to improve the lives of families of political activists who died while fighting for a free and democratic South Africa saw its first success after it partnered with the provincial Correctional Services Department to hand over the keys of a refurbished house to 92-year-old Nomziwakhe George.
George is the mother of the late Umkhonto we Sizwe member Sampson George, who died while in exile in Angola nearly 30 years ago.
Inhlumelo Community Development Group chairperson Mzwandile Tiyo said the poverty experienced by families of late political activists who live in Mbekweni in Paarl spurred the group - which consists of former political prisoners, exiled members and activists - into action.
On Friday, Nomziwakhe George, who shares her house with 15 relatives including her children and grandchildren, stepped into her refurbished home.
“I have seen God’s love and compassion, which I cannot measure, nor comprehend,” George told the Cape Times yesterday.
The artisans responsible for her joy were 10 inmates from the Allandale Prison in Paarl.
Correctional Services regional commissioner Delekile Klaas said “offender labour” - the investment of skills-transfer programmes within correctional centres - was beneficial to the community and offenders.
The department has already carried out several such projects in communities around the province.
It partnered with the Inhlumelo Community Development Group to help George and more families in Paarl.
“Inmates at different correctional centres have used skills they acquired to better the lives (of people) in their communities.
“Three homes in George have been refurbished, three in Khayelitsha and two in Gugulethu.
“This is an ongoing project,” said Klaas.
Before her home was refurbished, George said her home had no electricity, the paint was peeling, the roof was completely rotten and she had a concrete floor.
“This is the home Sampson grew up in. I know he would be so happy to see this. I am very happy and would like to thank all those who made it possible.
“The greatest thanks must go to God, for He is really good,” George said.
Tiyo said a local hardware store had stepped in to make a difference, while George would also receive groceries from a local supermarket chain every month.
“We can’t have Sampson’s mother suffer the way she was. The group has a passion for bringing about change for the better and we are already working on our next project,” Tiyo said.
A community imbizo in Mbekweni was also arranged by the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster, where the Department of Correctional Services and the Hillsong Church donated 25 wheelchairs to disabled community members.
francesca.villette@inl.co.za
@FrancescaJaneV
Cape Times