The beginning of Women’s Month meant the beginning of life under a new roof for Paulina Molefe. This follows the awarding of a fully furnished new house by MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport, Raymond Elisha, to the 53 years-old who stays in Lobatleng village near Zeerust.

Molefe has been living in a one-roomed dilapidated house since her small self-built house burnt down due to an electrical shock in 2012. Her case was brought to the department by youth from the Lutheran Church and North West FM. The department relied heavily on sponsors such as Value Build and Top Tile for building material and offered employees from its Ngaka Modiri Molema District operations to build the house. Furniture for the house was sourced from the departmental warehouse among items that had returned unsold from various auctions.

Molefe was lost for words as she described this experience, as life changing. She said she still could not believe the new house was hers. “Compared to where I have been living, this new house is like moving into a sacred place that I am even afraid to set my foot on,” an emotional Molefe said. She made a promise to cherish and take care of the new house.

Elisha commended the youth for the spirit of selflessness they showed. He added that the act was not new to people of Ramotshere Moiloa Municipality as most of the first volunteers to Umkhonto we Sizwe were from the area. “The Moiloa chieftaincy was among the first to encourage strong young people to join this armed wing of the liberation movement when it was first established in the 60’s,” Elisha said.

He said the department was proud to give Molefe not only a new house, but a decent fully furnished place she and her children can call home. Elisha further announced that the department will enter into negotiations with the municipality which had paving brick-making machines, but not much resources to produce the paving bricks.

“In a bid to improve the conditions of the access roads to this and other areas, we will look at ways to assist the municipality with resources to make paving bricks. We might also provide stipends for community members who will be building the roads themselves,” he said. He indicated that the department will also provide professionals for the layout and engineering of the roads.

North West FM station manager, Raymond Makamo, also paid homage to the youth of the Lutheran Church. “In an era where there is an outcry about most youth not respecting their elders, it is heartening to see youth who care and fight for old people,” he said. Makamo said despite the challenges faced by people in the area, touching the life of even one individual made a difference. He announced that the station will adopt the house as their long term project and said they will monitor it.

Ends