New home, new hope

GEORGE NEWS - The elderly couple who lost their home in a fire in July have moved into their new home, which was built through combined efforts by public and private entities. The house was officially handed to Nokwakha (59) and Tiki Zakade (81) by the Western Cape Minister of Housing, Bonginkosi Madikizela, last week Friday.

The minister was accompanied by George Mayor Melvin Naik, Councillor Langa Langa, Western Cape Minister of Finance Dr Ivan Meyer and Portfolio Councillor for Human Settlements David Willemse.

In an article published on Friday 6 July, George Herald's sister paper Idinga reported that Zakade had lost everything when her house burned down. Zakade found her home engulfed in flames when she arrived back from church. The cause of the fire is not known and no one was injured in the incident. After the fire, they had to move in with their in-laws who reside in Borcherds. The calamity has put the couple, who are on chronic medication, in a financial predicament.

Horatius Strydom from HAS Consulting pioneered the project to ensure that the elderly couple receive all the help they can get. The following companies came on board to assist with the project:

HAS Consulting Pty (Developer), Zuksem Projects (Thembalethu Youth Contractor), Tusk Construction Supplier Services, Builders Warehouse (National) and Standard Bank. The sponsors also made sure the couple received furniture and appliances for their new home.

The Zakades thank everyone who assisted and said the family is very happy to move into their new home.

Western Cape Provincial Government and George Municipality handed over the title deed of the new house to the Zakades. From left: Minister of Finance Dr Ivan Meyer; Portfolio Councillor for Human Settlements David Willemse; Tiki Zakane, Nokwakha Zakade, Minister of Human Settlements Bonginkosi Madikizela, Ward 13 Councillor Kholisile Langa and George Mayor Melvin Naik. Photo: Zolani Sinxo