Ermelo - Sixteen families from Chrissiesmeer, Ermelo, are likely to never forget this year's 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign.
As the campaign drew to a close on Saturday, the families - most of whom can relate to issues the campaign seeks to address - had reason to celebrate as they were given their own houses.
Growing up without knowing her parents, Londiwe Sukazi, 20, had to share a wooden room with her 17-year-old sister and grandmother, but when her grandmother passed away in October, her life was shattered.
However, today, Sukazi could not hold back her tears, when she received a brand new house from Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe to mark the closing of the 16 Days Campaign.
The Sukazi family was among 16 recipients, including people with disabilities, women and orphans, who received houses with double beds, electric stoves, kettles, irons, kitchen schemes and sets of pots.
For Sukazi, who is now left with her sister, having a decent house means having respect and being treated equally.
"No one will ever look down upon us, since we've got a house, my focus will be on furthering my studies at an FET college next year because through education we can get out of this poverty," said Sukazi.
Another recipient, Dan Mkhonza, 56, who has been in a wheelchair since 2006 and lives alone in a one roomed mud house, could not hold back his tears, thanking government for remembering people like him, who have nothing and only rely on a disability grant.
"It's like a dream come true and I hope that God gives the government means to help other people who are also in the same situation like me ... now I can finally sleep in a bed and not worry about a leaking house on rainy days," said an elated Mkhonza.
Handing over the houses, Motlanthe said he was happy that people finally received the help they needed. He said the houses had proper drainage and much better living conditions than a hazardous shack.
Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana said the department will liaise with the Higher Education and Training Department to ensure that Sukazi gets a bursary so that she can further her higher education studies.
"We will also come back to ensure that everything they [recipients] need is being provided."
Her Deputy Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu promised to come back to the area, where they would check if the houses are located in the right place for disabled people to be able to move around.
