By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – What began as devastation for a 62-year old grandmother has ended in dignity and relief after Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality, supported by local businesses, rebuilt her home following destructive floods in Riverside’s Thiboloha community.
Pascalina Mokoena, a Ward 25 resident living with her 13-year old grandchild, Mpho Ngomezulu, lost her shack when heavy rains swept through the area on 15 November 2025, leaving the family without shelter and exposed to danger.
With nowhere to turn, Mokoena reported her plight to ward councillor Mathapelo Mahamotsa, who escalated the matter to Executive Mayor Malekula Melato’s office.
Just two months later, on 19 January 2026, the family received the keys to a newly built two-roomed house — a rare but life-changing intervention in a municipality battling widespread service delivery challenges.
“Through the grace of God and the help of the mayor’s office, I now have a proper house,” an emotional Mokoena said. “I am truly thankful.”
Her 68-year old elder sister, who lives next door, said the new house had restored safety, stability and dignity to the family.
“This house means peace. My sister no longer has to sleep in fear,” she told The Guard.
Addressing residents at the handover, Melato said that while housing was not a municipal mandate, the severity of Mokoena’s situation demanded immediate action.
“When I saw how Mme Mokoena was living, I knew we could not ignore it,” Melato said. “Leadership sometimes means responding with compassion, not paperwork.”
She said her office approached local construction businesses, several of which volunteered materials and labour to complete the project.
“This house stands as proof of what can be achieved when government and business work together,” Melato said.
The executive mayor added that public office carried a responsibility to respond decisively when residents faced extreme hardship.
Residents welcomed the intervention, describing it as a rare example of government action that directly improves lives and restores human dignity at grassroots level.
