HUNGRY FOR CHANGE: When hunger hits, Limpopo widower tells his children to ‘drink water and have faith’
When there is nothing left to eat, Mnisi tells his children to drink water and have faith that God will provide. They couch‑surf neighbours for food while he takes odd jobs, and often accepts food as payment.
In the village of Ga-Motodi near Burgersfort in Limpopo, Mnisi, a 66-year-old widower, lives with his three adult children and two young grandchildren. When there is nothing left to eat, Mnisi urges his children to drink water and have faith that God will provide. Mnisi's oldest daughter, Karabo, and 19-year-old son Thoriso are both unemployed, while their 21-year-old daughter Dipolelo is still in high school.
With a monthly income of R3,460, the family struggles to put food on the table, spending R375 per week, or R50 per day, on sustenance. Their expenses include R400 each month for water, paraffin, and candles, as well as the cost of firewood. Without electricity, the family cannot refrigerate food or use running water, relying on water tankers and paraffin for lighting.
The home is dilapidated, with bare cupboards and no fridge. The family's mother's death in 2012 has left them struggling to support themselves. Despite repeated attempts, their home remains the only one in the village without electricity. Mnisi continues to seek odd jobs to provide for his family, but they remain hungry and fearful for their safety.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
