Nkonki co-sponsors a house that was given to Rifilwe Makau

Siphiwe Sithole, Rifilwe Makau and Lulama Madini

Minister Lindiwe Sisulu handing over the house to Rifilwe Makau

Nkonki Sponsors “a day glowing Refilwe will remember forever”

By Anna Cox

Relfiwe Makau, born without legs, has had her life transformed, thanks to The Star. On Friday, the 17-year-old Alexandra girl's dreams came true. In January she faced a hopeless future, unable to raise R3 500 for school fees and unable to afford a home.

But today Refilwe has her own house, furniture, linen and household appliances in Alex, the guarantee of a job and her mother has been given a full-time cleaning job with M5 Developments, the company that sponsored their house.

It did not end there.

Refilwe was also given a motorised wheelchair, R10 000 in cash and a trip to a five-star hotel in Cape Town as guest of Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu who invited her to accompany her to work on "Take a girl child to work week".

As a surprise, her grandmother, sent back to Polokwane because there was no room in the shack she shared with Refilwe's family, was brought back and will join them in their new home.

Friday's function was attended by hundreds of the teenager's friends, teachers, city and government officials and members of the community.

"Thank you to everyone," was all she could manage.

Refliwe was living in a one-room shack in the heart of Alexandra with no toilet. Because of the narrow and uneven lanes dividing the shacks, she was unable to leave her home in her wheelchair and relied on piggy-back rides to the main road if she ever wanted to leave her home.

She had been waiting for a house for eight years.

Last December her mother, who earns R300 a month as a cleaner, sent her home to Venda because she could no longer afford to feed her. In desperation Refliwe phoned Alexandra community leader Linda Twala, and asked him to bring her home.

Sisulu, who handed the house to Refilwe, said it was "a special day in honour of the special life of a special child".

"Refilwe was given to us as a gift 17 years ago. Today only, do we realise the value of that gift.

"From her disadvantage, she has given us the advantage to change the hearts of many people, as well as that of this government, as we attend to the needs of people such as herself."

She told Refilwe, "you probably do not understand the significance of what you have done".

"One day you will see and realise the role you have played in making the lives of the disabled better."

Sisulu said that Refilwe's case had brought together the private sector and the government. Many sponsors had joined together to ensure her house was built and that she would lead a comfortable life.

"Your story touched every South African's heart, showing what a unique nation we are, with big hearts."

The minister said The Star "went the extra mile by opening a trust account for the donations from readers and taking it further by partnering with other sponsors and the national and provincial departments of housing, as well as the Alexandra Renewal Project".

Sisulu said Refilwe's case had highlighted the fact that many disadvantaged people did not know about additional subsidies and grants available.

Some 5% of the 7 000 new stands being made available for housing in Alexandra were being set aside for the disabled and the government had embarked on an education programme within the community, informing them how to access the grants, said Sisulu.

The main sponsors were Lafarge, Nkonki Holdings, M5 Developments, Kopano Africa Consulting, Wonder Flooring, Samcro, Barnett Furnishers, Root Hair, Bongani Security and Twala MaAfrika Funeral Parlour. The Soweto Gospel Choir, through Gail Johnson, sponsored the beds and linen. They have also undertaken to provide security for her house as well as food for the family.