By Ncaba Ntshakala
Princess Buhlebetive, accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office Principal Secretary Siboniso Nkambule recently handed over officially a modern two-roomed house to the Jele family in the Nsingizini community under Hosea Inkhundla.
The handing over of the house was said to be a milestone for the family, who had endured years of hardship living in a dilapidated structure.
Princess Buhlebetive is the Patron of the Sihlalosemusa Foundation. She spearheaded the initiative to construct the new home after learning of the Jele family’s dire living conditions.
The family, led by Sibongile Jele, had been forced to move to the Nsingizini community in 2018 following the death of her husband,
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who had been employed as a farm worker. After his passing, the family was evicted from the farm and left with no choice but to build a makeshift one-room house using corrugated iron sheets.
Over time, the sheets wore out, developing holes that exposed the family to harsh weather conditions.
For years, nine family members, including grandchildren as young as three, lived in the deteriorating structure.
Their plight came to light when a Home Visitor from World Vision Eswatini, working under the Likusasa Ngeletfu project, identified their situation and approached the Sihlalosemusa Foundation for assistance.
Moved by the severity of their circumstances, Princess Buhlebetive took immediate action to ensure a proper house was constructed for the Jele family.
Within just three weeks, a beautiful, modern two-room house was built, offering the family the safety and security they had long been denied.
The handover ceremony was a joyous occasion, with Hosea Member of Parliament Sifiso Mabuza contributing a brand-new double bed for the family.
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In her speech during the handover, the Princess expressed her gratitude to Their Majesties and the government for their ongoing efforts to support vulnerable communities by providing proper housing across the country.
She recounted her shock at seeing the Jele family’s previous living conditions, which motivated her to act swiftly.
“Sihlalosemusa Foundation is dedicated to assisting the vulnerable and helping those who have no means of helping themselves,” the Princess stated.
“I would like to thank the Almighty God for giving me a heart that is dedicated to helping the needy.”
