New home to deter health risk for sickly youth- MEC Mamabolo
Gauteng MEC of Human Settlements Jacob Mamabolo said that government has delivered on its promise to Gontlafetse Sehako to alleviate some of her health risks and challenges as she was handed a brand new house.
Mamabolo was speaking at the ceremony to handover a house to Sehako in Riverside View, north of Johannesburg.
Sehako, who used to live in a shack, was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension in 2011 and doctors among others recommended that she lives in a well ventilated structure.
“The house solves a number of things, it deters the risk of dust which might have health implications. It also resolves the problem of electricity supply because in the shack electricity was illegally connected and there was no constant supply. She had to move around to neighbours’ houses in search of electricity to charge her medical equipment”, said Mamabolo.
“Giving her a house also resolves the issue of infrastructure such as roads as there were no proper roads where she lived and it was going to be hard to move her out in case of a medical emergency. As we celebrate 16 Days of no Violence Against Women and Children, we are glad to be part of efforts to help Gontlafetse to live a normal life like most of us,” said the MEC.
Mamabolo said that government hoped that the house, which is valued at R500 000, will relieve Sehako of unnecessary stress about having a proper place to stay and she will be able to focus on her health.
Nonceba Molwele, Member of Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development in the City of Johannesburg said that the work of government was not done as social workers will still visit Sehako to see where it can assist. Molwele thanked private sector companies for their role in the construction of the house and buying furniture in it.
Siphiwe Tshabalala , Bafana Bafana and of Kaizer Chiefs player, said that he got to know Sehako after she approached her on social media. Tshabalala said that although her foundation assists young people in sport and education it was hard for him to say no to Sehako and he started raising funds for her.
Sehako was very elated when she was handed over the house. “Judging from where I come from, I did not expect this, God has made it possible. My mom always wanted a proper shelter. From where it started to where it is, my dream has come true. We did not expect this kind of house”, Sehako said.
Sehako also said that getting a new house will improve her health because before she had to wear a musk to protect herself from dust, as it gave her lung infection and now she was free from all that.
She said that she was going to stay with her cousins in her new house.
For more information contact:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Tel: 011 355 4873
Cell: 079 897 2240
