A ray of hope for Tumasera family
Sharon Mathala | Wednesday July 9, 2025 11:51
Survival was their daily reality. The family – two adults and seven children – lived in a dilapidated shack constructed from discarded zinc and rusting poles. The structure was barely a shelter; it had no flooring, no electricity, no beds nor blankets, and not even a proper toilet.
During the wet and windy seasons, water poured through the patched-up roof and wind whistled through gaps in the structure, turning peaceful nights into nightmares.
But the hardship extended far beyond the crumbling shelter. None of the children, all under the age of 20, had progressed far in school.
Poverty, frequent illnesses, and the absence of even the most basic necessities such as uniforms or daily meals made it difficult to keep up with their education. With no income and no clear path forward, the family depended on 58-year-old Boikago Kebafodile and her partner Jabulani Lucky.
Both parents survived on occasional piece jobs like cleaning, digging pit latrines, cattle herding, and collecting firewood for neighbours. It was barely enough to keep them going.
Then, tragedy struck. Three years ago, Kebafodile suffered a severe stroke whilst helping her youngest child prepare for school. She collapsed and was rushed to the nearest clinic, but the damage was already done. She was left paralysed on one side of her body, unable to walk, with her left arm and both legs immobile.
Once known for her energy, Kebafodile became bedridden. Her partner made the difficult choice to scale down on work to care for her full-time.
With no medical support, he took on the roles of nurse, cook, cleaner, and caregiver all whilst trying to raise seven children.
“I was basically like a vegetable. They would take me from the bed and place me in a chair so I could at least sit outside for some fresh air. In the evening, they would take me back to bed. That has been my life for the past three years. I don’t know what happened to me, I just collapsed and woke up like this. Maybe it’s witchcraft, I don’t know,” she shared.
Though she now wears a smile thanks to the kindness of strangers, the pain of the past is etched into her frail frame and weary eyes. Following her illness, the family sometimes went for days without a proper meal.
Occasionally, kind-hearted neighbours brought bowls of motogo or leftover bread but it was never enough.
Enter Mascom
Their plight eventually reached Mascom’s Community Upliftment Team. Recognising the urgency, the team sprang into action.
In partnership with the Tumasera Village Development Committee, the telecommunications company built a two-bedroom home complete with secure windows, and a roof strong enough to endure the harshest weather for the family. The house was handed over last weekend.
“When it rained, we used to sleep with one eye open, we would place buckets around the shack to catch water and stop it from flooding. “We were helpless. Today, we can finally sleep in peace,” said the matriarch.
Mascom went beyond building the house. Working with community members, the company furnished it modestly adding beds, curtains, a kitchen unit, and warm blankets.
Most significantly, the team also bought a wheelchair for Kebafodile, allowing her to move freely for the first time in years.
“I am very thankful to Mascom,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. “We were really struggling, and we had no one to turn to. Our family has its own dynamics, and it was difficult.”
Her partner added, “God is really showing us mercy. We are humbled and grateful. From here on, it’s up to us to take it further.”
As the sun set and the Mascom and Monitor teams packed up, the sound of laughter filled the air. The children, once voiceless victims of poverty, were now running and playing in the yard, finally beginning to experience a childhood long denied.
*Sharon Mathala was in Tumasera at the invitation of Mascom 3-For-3 initiative, named in honour of the Three Dikgosi who negotiated Botswana’s independence, sees the staff dedicate three hours annually to giving back to communities. The Tumasera project was one of 47 carried out across the country this year – a tangible reminder that compassion, when coupled with action, can restore dignity and hope.