For 41-year-old Ms Zimkhitha Candy Mntambo of Wittlekleibosch in the Koukamma Local Municipality, Saraah Baartman District, Women’s Month has brought with it a new sense of comfort, dignity and hope.
As part of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government’s Women’s Month programme, Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, together with MEC for Human Settlements Siphokazi Lusithi, handed over a fully furnished and specially adapted home to Ms Mntambo, whose mobility was permanently affected following a stroke.
For Mntambo, the new home is more than just a house. It is a space that has been designed around her needs, making everyday life easier and allowing her to move around with greater comfort and independence.
“My previous home did not accommodate me at all. It was hard for me to move around the house, and my family grew tired of always having to see me struggling in such a condition. But this initiative has made my life easier, not only for me but for a person living with a disability. I am very happy and pleased with everything,” said Mntambo.
Her new 45-square-metre home has been designed with accessibility in mind. It includes access ramps and handrails, as well as enhanced bathroom features to support her mobility. The house also consists of two bedrooms, a combined lounge and kitchen, an internal bathroom and essential electrical and water services.
The home provides Mntambo and her four dependants with a safe and dignified living environment, while giving her greater independence in her daily life. She is currently supported by her aunt in Clarkson and continues to rely on crutches for mobility.
The handover forms part of the Koomansbos housing project implemented by the Department of Human Settlements, which is aimed at providing decent and dignified housing to vulnerable households, particularly women living in farming communities. The broader project has directly benefited 37 women.
For the Eastern Cape Provincial Government, Mntambo’s new home represents what meaningful service delivery can look like when government responds to the circumstances and needs of the people it serves. It is also a reminder that empowerment during Women’s Month extends beyond celebration. It is about creating opportunities, restoring dignity and ensuring that women, including those living with disabilities, are able to live safer and more independent lives.
As the province continues with its Women’s Month programme, the handover stands as a tangible reflection of government’s commitment to putting people first and turning its commitment to vulnerable communities into meaningful action.
