SNPF

THE Swaziland National Provident Fund (SNPF) has embarked on a campaign to build houses for destitute elderly. One such finished house was handed over to its owner on Friday at Eluhlekweni in Hhohho under Timphisini Inkhundla. The SNPF staff had built a two-room house worth E40 000 for Velaphi Shabangu, aged 90 years. They also presented him with grocery items worth E500. Also present during the event were Chief Executive Officer Prince Lonkhonkhela, Luhlekweni Umphakatsi Indvuna Doctor Maseko, Shabangu’s neighbours and Red Cross Piggs Peak staff. Prince Lonkhonkhela explained that their Corporate Social Investment (CSI) policy allowed them to invest towards destitute elderly and the disabled. He said they would be building four houses, one in each region. The Prince said after completing the one at Timphisini they would move on to Manzini at Gundvwini, where they would also build a house there. He explained that the money used for the CSI was from the penalty fines paid by employers for non compliance - that is employers who did not forward their employees contributions were fined. “We then use that money to help in the communities with approval from the ministry and board. “The need in the community is huge exacerbated by the HIV and AIDS epidemic, which kills mostly the young and energetic, who should be taking care of their parents but instead die and leave them without proper structures.” He thanked Baphalali for reaching out to the unreachable people. The prince stated that Baphalali provided emergency shelter for Shabangu, who would be sleeping in the open after his house caught fire. He revealed that all material was bought from local suppliers and the builders too were from the community. Baphalali regional coordinator, Nosmilo Fakudze applauded SNPF for taking the initiative to help the destitute members of the community. She stated Shabangu needed a house badly.

He has been sleeping in shelter box tent that they provided with the help of NERCHA. She said as Baphalali they did not have the capacity to provide housing, but relied on companies and others like SNPF to assist. Fakudze said there were many destitute elderly in the region, who needed shelter, and with such collaboration more could be assisted. She thanked the neighbours to Shabangu for supporting the old man. One neighbour in particular, Brian Mthupha, spends most of his time with Shabangu, helping him with food, washing, bathing and keeping him company. Fakudze said Shabangu was currently in hospital for a minor operation.