The Collen Mashawana Foundation has officially handed over a fully furnished three-bedroom home to the Nobela family

The Collen Mashawana Foundation has officially handed over a fully furnished three-bedroom home to the Nobela family, fulfilling all commitments made following the devastating fire tragedy that struck Itsani village near Thohoyandou.

The handover ceremony was led by the Chairperson of the Collen Mashawana Foundation, Dr Collen Mashawana, together with the Thulamela Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr Sarah Rambuda. Community members, local leaders, and family representatives gathered to witness the completion of a project that has restored dignity, safety, and hope to a family deeply affected by loss.

The newly constructed home consists of three bedrooms, a lounge, dining room, kitchen and bathroom. It is fully serviced with electricity, running water, ceilings and a septic tank, providing the Nobela family with a secure and comfortable living environment. The house replaces a one-room structure that was destroyed in a tragic fire earlier this year.

The intervention follows a heartbreaking incident in which three young children from the Nobela family, aged four, three and two, lost their lives in a house fire. The children, born to two young mothers, Sharon and Shirley Nobela, were accidentally locked inside their home while playing with a lighter, which caused the fire. The tragedy left a family of 15 traumatised, homeless and in mourning.

Shortly after the incident, Mashawana visited the family and pledged comprehensive support through the Collen Mashawana Foundation. He committed not only to rebuilding the family’s home, but also to addressing their immediate and long-term needs as they navigated grief and recovery.

All undertakings made by the Foundation have now been successfully implemented. These include the construction of a safe and dignified three-bedroom home, assistance with funeral arrangements for the three children, and the provision of social worker support and trauma counselling to help the family cope with their loss. The burnt structure was also demolished to remove painful reminders of the tragedy.

In addition, the Foundation facilitated employment opportunities for Sharon and Shirley, which commenced just two weeks after the incident. This intervention was aimed at promoting long-term stability and self-sufficiency for the family.

Speaking at the handover, Mashawana said the Foundation’s work is rooted in restoring dignity and offering practical support to families affected by tragedy. He emphasised that compassion must be matched with action to help communities heal and rebuild their lives.