MAPATE – A terrible lump or tumor that developed a year ago on the face of a pensioner of Mapate Village, Mrs Munzhedzi Rasila, is pushing her into a dark hole of depression.

Rasila, of Mapate village in the Thulamela Municipality, is a pensioner who does not even remember when she was born. Last year, Rasila was complaining of a headache that was giving her sleepless nights. Surprisingly, that headache was followed by tumor that started like an abscess.

She consulted doctors in Thohoyandou and the Tshilidzini Hospital for treatment, where she underwent surgery. After surgery, her face was fine, she said. A few months later, the tumor developed again and started deforming her face.

“This tumor is very painful, I am helpless, and I don’t have money to pay for more surgery. Traditional healers are trying their best to remove the lump with herbs,” Rasila said.

She is living in a shabby shelter with her son, Freddy, and all efforts to get an RDP house have been fruitless. “I have three children, Freddy, Ntshengedzeni and Ngwedzeni. I was born in the ghetto, lived in the ghetto and now I am still helpless. I am losing hope that I will eventually get an RDP house,” she said.

“My son Freddy is trying his best to get employment, but it is difficult for him to find a job. I am running the family with my old-age grant,” Rasila added.

When our journalist visited her, she was found drinking tea without bread. She said that bread is for educated people. Her plea is to get good eyesight, and a good face.

Villagers say the Thulamela Municipality must provide this granny with an RDP house. The liaison officer of Tshilidzini Hospital, Mr David Nemuhuyuni, said the hospital is ready to help people like Rasila, and Grace Nelukalu, whose stomach is growing terribly. “We have visited the Nelukalu family and soon Mrs Grace’s stomach will be examined,” he said.