KwaNokuthula Couple's New Beginnings: A Home Rebuilt from Ashes

Christmas may traditionally be a time for giving, but for one elderly couple in KwaNokuthula, the gift of a new home has heralded a fresh start well ahead of the festive season. Mr. Khedamile Windvoel and Mrs. Nomvula Windvoel's lives took a positive turn after the local community rallied to provide them with a new house following a devastating fire that razed their previous residence at 70 Sajini Street, leaving them without a home for years.

The couple's ordeal captured the hearts of their community and caught the attention of Ward 6 Councillor Nokuthula Seti and the Human Settlement Manager of Bitou Municipality, Mr. Fezile Maki. Through a collaborative effort spurred on by concerns raised by residents at public meetings, a beacon of hope was lit for the Windvoel family.

The Western Cape Provincial Human Settlement department was involved thanks to Mr. Maki's prompt action, leading to an application for the Emergency Housing Program in 2022. Upon approval, the procurement process was swiftly undertaken, culminating in the project's completion, both on time and within budget, by a local contractor empathetically named Sidonela.

Councillor Nokuthula Seti, who played an instrumental role in the drive, spoke of the collective will and the support of all council members in ensuring the project reached fruition. The Windvoels' joy and smiles were visible proof of patience paying off, serving as a beacon of patience and perseverance within the community.

Bitou Executive Mayor Claude Terblanche recognized the Windvoels' lengthy wait, though with a note of caution regarding the necessity of vocal advocacy for being heard. He commended Mr. Maki's passion and commitment to equality and respect for all residents and highlighted Councillor Seti's crucial role in handing over the Windvoels' new home, freeing them from the shack they had resorted to post-disaster.

The elated Mr. Windvoel, a nonagenarian, shared the couple's heartfelt gratitude for the turn of events that restored their dignity with a new household. His poetic reflection pointed to a philosophical submission to life's timing, reinforced by his and his wife's joy in receiving their much-needed home. Mrs. Windvoel's thankfulness was extended to the divine and every hand that played a part in reconstituting what they once lost.