Delft wheelchair user finally gets her own house

After 15 years living in a container, Nobendiba Thuthani says she had lost hope

Photo of woman getting keys from another woman

Nobendiba Thuthani gets the keys to her new house from councillor Ncumisa Mahango. Photo: Buziwe Nocuze

By Buziwe Nocuze

20 April 2017

After years and years in unsuitable housing, wheelchair user Nobendiba Thuthani, 49, could not hold back her tears when she was finally given the keys to a house last week.

“I never thought this day would come. It feels like I am dreaming,” said Thuthani when Langa city councillor Ncumisa Mahango handed over the Delft house on behalf of the City of Cape Town.

Thuthani had polio at an early age and cannot walk. For 15 years she lived in a container, with no electricity, then four months ago she was moved to temporary housing

Thuthani, who lives with five family members, said she was grateful to all those who had helped her. “I had lost hope of getting a house,” she said.

The family now has two bedrooms, a kitchen, a lounge and a flush toilet. In her previous lodging, Thuthani had not been able to use the outside toilet and used a bucket which her 27-year-old daughter Nosabatha had to empty.

Mahango said the City was happy to help the Thuthani family. “When we gave them the temporary housing four months back, we said we would be happy only when we see them owning a house and now that has happened,” said Mahango.

“This new house means I will be able to go out and get some fresh air,” Thuthani said. “In this Freedom Month I will finally get the freedom I have been longing for all my life.”