The days of sleeping under a tree are over for a 78-year-old pensioner, Reginald Nthambeleni Mmbara of Miluwani, near Sibasa. This comes after the Thulamela Municipality handed him a house worth R40 000 on Wednesday last week.

Mmbara’s troubles started when his two mud huts fell during the heavy rains sometimes ago. His life of misery was spotted by a local community development worker, who informed the Thulamela Municipality. At that time, there was no RDP house available and instead of placing Mmbara on a waiting list, the municipality took the matter upon themselves to organize donations for the building of the house.

The municipality also released its employees to work for the construction of Mmbara’s house, from the foundation to topping, bricklaying and roofing, free of charge. The golden sponsors included Limpopo Hardware, who donated doorframes, corrugated iron and window frames. Konanani Brickyard provided bricks for the construction of the house, while Miluwani Electrical provided cement. Nthambe Electrical has the responsibility of electrifying the house.

When handing over the house, the mayor of Thulamela Municipality Khosi Thivhulawi Makumbane said it was the responsibility of the municipality to bring a better life for all. "We could not wait for the allocation of an RDP house from the authorities while Mmbara continued to suffer with nowhere to lay down his head. That is why we came up with an alternative way to assist him. His living conditions were very painful and that is why we were touched by his plight. We also send our gratitude to the local community development worker and the ward councillor for their efforts until the completion of the house."

Makumbane thanked the sponsors for the beautiful work well done. "The municipality needs partners to deliver efficient services and this bears testimony of what we see here today. We hope other businesspeople will follow suit because this is the only way to fight hunger, poverty and underdevelopment."

The jubilant beneficiary, who stays alone, was overwhelmed with joy. He only said: "Thank you, Thulamela Municipality, and the sponsors. For the first time in my life, I will be able to lay my head under a corrugated iron roof."