This week, the Collen Mashawana Foundation, in partnership with WesBank, handed over a fully furnished, newly rebuilt home to a family in Nyanga, Cape Town, bringing them the perfect gift to celebrate a warm and wonderful festive season.

Nomasongololo Ntunja (78) lost her home earlier this year when it was gutted by a fire that left her destitute, along with her son who suffers from tuberculosis and her three grandchildren for whom she cares.

“The Ntunja family’s plight was brought to our attention by community leaders who nominated the family to receive assistance in the programme that was initiated when WesBank, through its CEO, Ghana Msibi, pledged to fund the building of 12 fully furnished homes for families in need,” said Dr Collen Mashawana, Founder and Chairman of the Collen Mashawana Foundation.

The Ntunja house is the second completed project, following the handover of a new house to a family from Umlazi in KwaZulu-Natal who had lost their home in a devastating flood.

“The renovations included the reconnection of services such as running water, sanitation, and electricity, which are essential for the health of the aged caregiver, her son and growing grandchildren,” said Dr Mashawana.

Lebo Gaoaketse, Head of Marketing and Communication at WesBank, said: “Losing their home had the potential to derail any hope for the Ntunja family to achieve their goals, particularly the young children aged 10, 12, and 17. Through WesBank’s partnership with the Collen Mashawana Foundation, we are glad that we were able to help rebuild not only the Ntunja’s home, but also their dreams for a better future.”

“WesBank remains committed to this initiative, which supports families in need, providing them with a sense of hope and a chance to rebuild their lives,” added Gaoaketse.

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 GBV victims across South Africa.