HOPE AND CHALLENGES: CAROLINE’S STORY AT THE PRESIDENTIAL IMBIZO IN UMGABABA

Pricilla Seamelando

Caroline Mhlokonyelwa, a 43-year-old mother of six from Magabheni, south of Durban, left the Presidential Imbizo in Umgababa with a renewed sense of hope. Held on 8 November 2024, the Imbizo offered her a platform to voice her struggles and receive much-needed support amidst the many challenges she faces daily.

In addition to raising her own children, Caroline has taken full responsibility for her two nieces, who have faced serious hardships. Her sister, the nieces’ mother, went missing several years ago, leaving the young women—now 26 and 25—without parental support. One niece was involved in a tragic car accident in 2022 and now requires a wheelchair, which the family cannot afford. The other niece completed her matric qualification but is unable to move forward without an identity document. Without this crucial ID, she cannot access opportunities or government services, leaving her future uncertain.

The Presidential Imbizo, a District Development Model (DDM) initiative held at the Umnini Sportsfield in eThekwini Municipality under the theme Leave No One Behind, brought together government leaders, agencies, and organisations to address community concerns and improve service delivery. In an area like Umgababa, where residents persist through social challenges, the Imbizo was more than an event—it was a lifeline for people like Caroline.

Led by Honourable President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Imbizo enabled leaders from all three spheres of government to engage directly with citizens, listen to their concerns, and provide on-the-spot support where possible. The social development sector was well represented by Minister Ganief Hendricks, SASSA CEO Ms Busisiwe Memela-Khambula, and Acting CEO of the National Development Agency (NDA) Mr Thabani Bithelezi.

For Caroline, the day was especially meaningful. After years of battling paperwork and bureaucratic barriers, she successfully applied for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, which will help provide her family with essential financial support.

However, her challenges extend beyond the SRD grant. Caroline hopes to secure a disability grant and an identity document for her nieces. Without formal family documentation, her disabled niece cannot access critical services. The Department of Home Affairs requires a DNA test to issue a birth certificate for her niece, yet Caroline cannot afford the cost of this test. She expressed gratitude for the progress made at the Imbizo and appealed to the Department of Social Development to help fund the DNA test, which she sees as the key to unlocking the support her family so urgently needs.

Caroline’s story reflects the struggles of many in Umgababa, where high unemployment, limited healthcare, and inadequate infrastructure make daily life difficult. The Imbizo underscored the urgent need for better service delivery and showed the government’s commitment to addressing these pressing community issues. As Caroline left the Imbizo, she felt a spark of hope for her family’s future. “I am grateful for the help today,” she said, “but I need the system to support me while I support my family. I want my nieces to have the life they deserve.”