The Collen Mashawana Foundation, in partnership with WesBank, today handed over a newly built house to the Bhengu family in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, whose home was destroyed in the devastating 2019 floods.
Ntombikayise Bhengu, a single mother and domestic worker, has been renting a one-room space in Umlazi Ward 84, forcing some of her children to seek accommodation elsewhere due to a lack of space.
The partnership between Collen Mashawana Foundation and WesBank will provide the Bhengu family with a safe haven and a new beginning, marking the start of a partnership that will see a total of 12 houses built in various parts of the country.
“This partnership demonstrates the power of collaboration in making a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need,” said Collen Mashawana, Founder and Chairman of the Collen Mashawana Foundation.
The new Bhengu home, which was built by the Collen Mashawana Foundation and funded by WesBank, is a two-bedroom house that will provide space for the family to live comfortably. The house is fully furnished and equipped with essential amenities, including running water, sanitation facilities, and electricity, ensuring the dignity and security of the family.
“This partnership demonstrates WesBank’s commitment to act as an enabler in the upliftment of the communities in which we operate. The benefits of owning a well-appointed house cannot be overstated, particularly for a family like the Bhengu’s whose loss of their home not only displaced the family but led to the separation of a mother from her children,” said Lebo Gaoaketse, Head of Marketing and Communication at WesBank.
“There are many other families across our nation who find themselves in similar situations. Working with this foundation gives us the reach we would ordinarily not have in assisting such individuals and families,” said Gaoaketse
“This initiative is a testament to the impact that can be made when we come together to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. The Collen Mashawana Foundation and WesBank are committed to continuing their partnership to support families in need, providing them with a sense of hope and a chance to rebuild their lives,” added Mashawana.
Through nominations by community leaders, the programme is aimed at providing suitable housing for the elderly, individuals with disabilities, child-headed households as well as single-parent households across South Africa.
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