A blind elderly Lower Crossroads resident whose son was killed by an angry mob years ago, was among those who benefited from the goodwill of two supermarkets.
Nobongile Mkhohli told Vukani she suffered multiple blows in recent times – one when her son was killed and another when the contractor left her house unfinished. And then she lost her sight.
But Goal and Striker supermarkets helped her rebuild her life.
Last year they helped finish the construction of Ms Mkhohli’s house, and this year they visited her again just before Mandela Day which was marked on Saturday July 18.
On Thursday July 16, they arrived, accompanied by the South African National Defence Force, to check on her and give her a food voucher of
R1 000 – and to clean her yard.
But first, all lockdown regulations were observed, and those who took part were screened for any Covid-19 symptoms and sanitised.
“Life has been unfair to me and my children. Not only was my house left unfinished, my son was killed here violently. People came to fetch him after suspecting him of theft.
“More than eight hours after they left, a neighbour came to check on me. She thought I was aware that my son was killed and yet I knew nothing.
“I was never right. It killed me inside. I still get emotional when I think about it. It is the day I will never forget in my entire life. It still scares my other children who are no longer coming to see because of what they experienced,” she said, crying.
Turning to the donors, she smiled and added: “Without them I am nothing. They came when I was really desperate for help. I even approached the African National Congress local office for help. In fact I approached each and every organisation that could help.
“They came aboard. I thank God for them. They not only finished the house but they put nice windows, changed globes last year and repaired the roof that was blown away by heavy winds. May they remain a people’s business forever,” she said.
Goal’s marketing manager Lonwabo Dandala said Ms Mkhohli is just one of many citizens they had returned to after having previously assisted them.
“We helped her last year. We thought let us revisit her and clean her yard and house. The shopping voucher is to make her more happy during this time of Covid-19,” he said.
The company also taught residents about the coronavirus.
“We want to know whether people understand what we are faced with. We urge people to protect themselves. We also want them to know that we care about their welfare and life,” he said.
Ward 35 councillor Mboniswa Chitha commended the gesture by the companies.