ONE ROOM , SEVEN CHILDREN, AND A MOTHER'S STRENGTH

By: Noncedo Nkonyane 

One mud and thick room on the edge of Manzini a mother wakes up every day, with seven children by her side, one of them is disabled. With no job, no food, no husband but only disability grant to survive but still manages to smile.

Nozipho Hlanze is 42 years old mother of seven children, living in mud and stick one room house in Luhlokohla, Manzini. Her youngest son Ntokozo was born with condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy which requires daily care. Other families worry about what they will wear tomorrow but Nozipho’s concern is, “what will we eat today?”

Nozipho never enjoyed life, she lost her husband 2017 after a long illness and life forced him to return back home. She does not have a job, education or qualifications. She moved back home and stayed with her uncle hoping to find work, but Ntokozo’s condition make things even harder, “I am always called for interviews, but who will watch Ntokozo because he can’t walk and eat by himself. He needs me every day, my neighbors are tired of me asking them to look after him while I went out” she said.

The one room which Nozipho and her kids live in, and the one far behind is for her uncle

The monthly grant which is E400 a month Ntokozo’s food and medication is now feeding eight mouths. This money is not enough since four of the children are going to school. “We skip meals, but fortunately enough the others eat at school and try to bring some for their siblings.” She also manages to wash for her neighbour clothes if they need assistance and get money to survive. 

She cannot work since Ntokozo need fulltime care. The one room they live in has no electricity, and leaks during rain. They sleep on cardboards and have toned blankets. Her uncle try to help where he manages to but he does not have a good paying job and also have his family to look after.

Despites the struggle, Nozipho never complains, she keeps going out of resilience and love. Her children go to school every day. She wakes up in the morning prepare them for school and bath Ntokozo. Nozipho said “I just tell myself that as long they are learning, the is hope. I just want them to finish school maybe one day they will change this story, that all I pray for.” Thandiwe, first born of Nozipho, a 16years old girl dreams of becoming a Doctor so that she can help her brother and people like her brother. 

Nozipho and her children(Image Credit: Lindelwa Zwane

Her uncle Masango once tried to ask for assistance from Stufuza We country. Recently he had donated clothing, school shoes and groceries but the support is not consistence. Also the community had given Nozopho and children a piece of land where she can farm. They have also approached Illa Penboy Daily for help with one room house but he hasn’t feedbakck. “ Even if it a one room’, the children could sleep bette"’. She dreams of help where she will receive consistent help from NGOs around the country.

 In addition, Nozipho’s story is not something happening for the first time but a lot of single mothers around Eswatini faces single mother’s struggles, disabilities and unemployment, they struggle in silence. Her resilience is a sign and reflection of more woman carrying same weight with nor recognition. Her reminds us of silence strength in shadow of society.

Some of the Food that was donated by Stufuza Wecountry. (Photo credit: Ncamsile Dlamini)

 Everyday evening, Nozipho light a candle. Her children gather together with love to eat the last meal. The is no luxury, no electricity, no bed, no blanket but the is warmth and love. Above all the is woman who makes things possible and never give up. “God has not forgotten me, every day I woke up pray and try again” she said.

In that mud and stick one room and poverty, a mother’s love proves more powerful that povery.