By Ncaba Ntshakala
At 85 years old, elderly Gogo Salaphi Matsebula has finally been granted the gift of security and comfort.
After decades of living in a crumbling, one-room house made from stone and cement, her resilience has been rewarded.
Recently, she proudly stood outside her brand-new, modern house, a structure built to restore her dignity after years of hardship.
The Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla officially handed over the keys to Gogo Salaphi during a ceremony that saw the presence of other guests,
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including Chief Mshengu, Principal Secretary Siboniso Nkambule, Ntombi Matse, Major Gwebu, and National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) CEO Victor Mahlalela, among others.
Chief Mshengu highlighted the sense of urgency felt by the community when they became aware of Gogo Salaphi’s dire living conditions.
“When we discovered the plight of Gogo Salaphi, we could not rest. We sought assistance, and with the intervention of Make Ntombi Matse, we reported the matter to Their Majesties,” he said.
Upon hearing about her situation, the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force and NDMA were commissioned to construct a new home for the elderly woman.
Remarkably, the construction was completed in just three weeks which was said to be transforming what was once a life of uncertainty into one of newfound comfort.
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The Deputy Prime Minister asserted that the newly built house symbolizes the compassion of the community and Eswatini’sw leadership, especially in ensuring that every Liswati lives in safe and dignified conditions.
“Every Liswati should live comfortably,” the Deputy Prime Minister remarked during the handover. “There are many others who need such help. Hang in there, eventually, help will come.”
Dladla emphasized the role of government officials in ensuring that services reach all citizens.
“We have been commissioned to be the eyes and ears of His Majesty in the communities,” she added, where she further assured that Gogo Salaphi’s story is a reflection of the government’s commitment to uplifting the vulnerable.
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The report submitted before the construction of Gogo Salaphi’s house revealed her history of hardship. Married under Swazi law to the late Ngcamphalala, Gogo Salaphi raised nine children.
Tragically, eight of them passed away, leaving her with only one surviving daughter, who lives with her in the Phuzamoya-Mampolo area.
Both mother and daughter have struggled to make ends meet, with the daughter relying on piece jobs in South Africa to support the family.
For years, Gogo Salaphi survived by doing odd jobs and selling handouts. Her only steady source of income today is the elderly grant, which barely covers her basic needs.
In moments of financial strain, community members have stepped in to offer support.
The old house Gogo Salaphi lived in was far from suitable for human habitation according to the report.
It was built from stones and cement and the structure had a leaking roof and walls that allowed water to seep through during rainy days, leaving her belongings soaked.
Without electricity, she used firewood for cooking and candles for lighting, collecting resources from the forest and fetching water from the community tap.
