SINCE moving to Port Durnford in 2011, 60-year-old homeless Mkhulu NG Zimemo of the Mahunu area slept in a hole he dug for himself in his yard.
‘It was hard, sleeping on the open ground like that. To protect myself from rain and wind, I had to use black refuse bags,’ he said last week before his life changed for the better.
Hearing of Zimemo’s plight, eSikhaleni businessman BT Gumede, together with Notefull 1294cc, jumped into action and on Wednesday handed over the keys of a small house to an ecstatic Zimemo, who now boasts at least proper shelter from the elements.
Gumede said he decided to collect rubble from dismantled houses, and with the help of the local house builders he recently trained, built a one room house.
‘I couldn’t sit and fold my arms when I saw the dire situation Zimemo found himself in. With the help of Notefull 1294cc, who provided cement and other building materials, we managed to put together this structure.’
Zimemo said he was thankful to Gumede for restoring his dignity.
‘Today I have a proper house, and my two daughters will now come and visit me,’ he beamed.
Issuing a challenge to other eSikhaleni businessmen, Gumede requested them to assist Zimemo with household items.