Mathapelo’s story

Mathapelo. She lives with her grandmother. Mathepelo is an orphan and her parents died some few years ago. She now lives with her unemployed grandmother. They depend on grant money for survival.

Mathapelo is one of hundreds energetic children who live in the filthy squatter camp of Silahliwe. Inspite of all the hardships, Mathepelo is dreaming high. Her dream is to become a teacher. Her favourite subject is English.

“When I grow up I want to be a teacher” said a shy Mathapelo. On 18 July (Mandela Day), she got a surprise visitor. Ipeleng Nyakong from Benmore visited Mathapelo under the “Ipeleng’s Doing It for the Needy Kids” Competition. Ipeleng was linked to the child under the Benjamin Dube Children’s Foundation. Ipeleng and Mathapelo only knew one another through the exchange of letters and pictures.

As part of the Mandela Day’s 67 minutes of service, Ipeleng took sometime to drive all the way from Johannesburg to Silahliwe to see her linked child.
It was a touchy situation as she was told about the situation Mathapelo was living under. The little Mathepelo couldn’t believe herself as she drove in Ipeleng’s car on the front seat. “When I’m old I will drive mama’s car.” Said Mathapelo pointing at Ipeleng’s volvo car.

Mathapelo’s grandmother was so thankful to ipeleng and wished her all the best. Ipeleng promised to help little Mathapelo in future.

Ipelenge (Centre), gogo and Mathapelo

Mathapelo in Ipeleng's car

Fire killed 3 children with their 2 parents

(The pain of the loss)

Fire killed 5 family members in a shack in Silahliwe Squatter Camp in the Vaal, Midvaal Municipality. Two children who were not in the shack on the night survived the fire. The two are Nthatho (12) and Nthabiseng (9).

This occured on the night of 17th July 2010. The fire was suspected to have been caused by the burning traditional heater “imbawula”. It was a sad situation as the community bid farewell to their neighbours. All eyes were on the two remaining kids.

There are more than 4000 children between the age of 2 and 11 who live in Silahliwe Squatter Camp. Most of the people live in 3x3 shacks. Each shack can accommodate 3 to 7 people. The area has no electricity; no clean water; and there’s no safe place for children to play. Pre-School kids are kept in shack classrooms, and those who attend school walk long distances to sschool.

The Benjamin Dube Children’s Foundation (BDCF) operates in this squatter camp. The aim is to provide full meal to the kids on daily basis; provide pre-school education; provide medical attention; and create a safe environment for the children to live and play.

The Benjamin Dube Children’s Foundation would like to take this opportunity to send its condolences to the family of the victims, especially the remaining two children; to the community members of Silahliwe and to the whole leadership of Silahliwe.

We would like to invite and call upon everyone to partner with the BDCF to help the community of Silahliwe. Please call Solomon on: +27 72 356 8282 or Precious on: +27 76 896 7139. You can send an email to: meya@webmail.co.za

(Biding farewell to a fallen friend)

(Survived the fire for the 3rd time)

(A scene not to be forgotten)

(Only prayer can save this little one)