The hardships of a destitute family

Calistus Kolantsho
Correspondent | Friday April 30, 2010 00:00

 The 87-year-old Gakenamotho Mathapa, her 71-year-old daughter, Gabohitlhwe Tumeng and her grand-daughter doing Standard Six at Sefophe Primary School will once again go hungry. Tumeng is the only surviving child of Mathapa out of the eight children she bore. Tumeng told The Monitor that most of their relatives have passed away and they do not know the surviving ones. She said life is very hard for them and they rely on food hands-outs from the council. 'We ate meat a long time ago. We survive on phaleche and morogo ya Setswana all the time,' she said with sadness in her eyes.  She explained that her mother (Mathapa) is the only person who has been included in the destitute programme. 'The Council people have refused to register me. The only income that we get is pension but the money is not enough because we use it to pay debts at the local tuck shops. The food that my mother gets is not enough to last the whole month. I do not understand why the council is not willing to register me,' she said.

The family stays in a dilapidated grass thatch hut. Tumeng said that they were given a tent by the Bobirwa Sub-District Council two weeks ago when the rains started but they have been advised that it will be taken back anytime. Her mother has been getting her pension and food rations with an expired Omang card. Tumeng explained her mother is unable to walk.

'My mother used to walk around with a walking stick but now she cannot stand up. She is sick and age has also taken its toll. I can't go anywhere because I am scared something might happen to her in my absence. She needs a wheelchair. I plead with Batswana to assist us,' she said.

She explained that the social worker has never assessed their situation and things are difficult because she cannot even work in the Ipelegeng programme due to old age. She said she has never been formally employed in her life.

'We are living our lives with the hope that my granddaughter will one day work and save us from the misery that we are in,' she remarked before sniffing snuff.