'Life is though in my shack,' says Mkhondo

Going to bed on an empty stomach is nothing unusual for Mpho “Mkhondo” Mudau of Gogobole, who lives in a dilapidated shack with no proper windows and a leaking roof that often gets blown off by strong winds.

Mpho is suffering from a mental instability and lives alone. Peering into his shack, one can see no bed, no cooking pot or stove, only a pile of flimsy, torn blankets. People often see him walking aimlessly around town, talking to himself.

Because of his mental state, he has no job, and no-one ever offers to help him, because people say he is “crazy”. But Mpho has his clear-minded moments, when his senseless talking actually makes a lot of sense.

Limpopo Mirror caught up with him recently and asked him about the life he leads. Mpho told the correspondent that he had just about given up on life as it held nothing precious for him anymore.

“Life is tough here. I sometimes go without food for three days at a time.” He has not bothered to apply for an RDP house because he does not even have an ID book. “There are some villagers who don’t deserve to get RDP houses, but they have been allocated houses, while I almost live out in the open. I have learnt to accept life as a bitter struggle because there is nothing else for me to do. I thought life would change in the democratic government, but the poor get poorer as the rich get richer,” he said, and hearing the “crazy” man speak like this feels almost eerie. Then he gets that far-off look in his eyes again, and the conversation ends abruptly.

What he clearly needs, though, is food, clothes, blankets and a decent shelter. Community members who wish to open their hearts and assist the struggling man can pay him a visit at Gogobole or call 083 503 4907 or 060 645 5813.

Date:15 August 2021

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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