Second Current Story

A freedom fighter's dream becomes a reality during

Jubilation was the order of the day at Vyeboom as a military veteran received a brand new, fully furnished house as part of Mandela Day Celebration. The village in the Collins Chabane Municipality came to a standstill as Raphalalani's dream of owning a home came true. Matamela Raphalalani (78) is a freedom fighter who fought under the banner of AZANLA (Azanian Liberation Army) an armed wing of the Azanian People's Organization (AZAPO).

Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba and the MEC for Co operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA), Mr Basikopo Makamu spent Mandela Day painting and handing over the beautiful home to the Raphalalani family. Speaking during the handing over Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba said? "I am happy being here today to handover a home to a military veteran, a selfless individual who took part in the fight for freedom. We are free today because of people like Raphalalani and it gives me great joy knowing that today we are restoring the dignity of this veteran by providing him with a basic human right. We are handing over the house as a sign that this government, together with its partners, does keep promises it makes to its people. Let us all go out and make a difference by placing the lives and needs of our poorest of the poor in our hands. It is only our collective leadership and efforts that can see us building sustainable communities. We really need to move South Africa forward".

The Premier concluded by thanking MEC Makamu and his team for ensuring that the Raphalalani family has a house to call home.