RBA Homes (Pty) Ltd handed over the keys for a brand new home to Lucky Mathibela and his family on Friday 1 June 2012, making good on their promise made on 94.7 FM Highveld Stereo’s Christmas Wish.
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Making Christmas wishes come true
When RBA Homes was approached by 94.7 Highveld Stereo’s Breakfast Show, who shared Lucky’s story with them, they jumped at the chance to make a difference in Lucky’s life. They were impressed by the young man’s positive spirit and his desire to give back to his community as a teacher – even though he was struggling himself.
David Wentzel, CEO of RBA Holdings and his team knew that one of their flagship residential developments – Bram Fischerville in Soweto would be perfect for Lucky and his young family.
Said Wentzel; “At RBA we fully believe that stable families make for stable communities. There are big things happening in the Bram Fischerville community right now. The area is a hive of activity; it is centrally located and has a bustling transport system that makes getting around that much easier. There are many schools and sporting facilities, community centres, new shopping centres and restaurants. This community is the perfect place to put down roots and raise your family. It’s a really positive environment for Lucky and his family.”
RBA Homes and Standard Bank joined forces on the Christmas Wish, to cover the costs of a brand new 55m2 3 bedroom home worth R400 125. On Friday 1 June 2012, they handed over the keys to Lucky and his family.
In December RBA Homes made arrangements to rent a home from one of their clients in Bram Fischerville and helped to move the Mathibela family into more suitable accommodation while their new home was being built.
Daniel Esterhuyse, Marketing Manager for RBA Homes noted that while they were getting a new home, he had noticed the family had very little in terms of furniture and necessities for the new home. “We would encourage anyone who is able to assist in making the Mathibela family’s house a real home to please contact us so that this family can move forward in a positive manner.”
“We would like to thank our suppliers who so generously donated towards the completion of this special home. Tasol Solar sponsored a solar geyser and Thermguard supplied in-roof insulation which will go a long way to reducing the running costs of the home. Palmin Kitchens sponsored a built in bedroom cupboard. We are grateful for their kind generosity with this project,” Esterhuyse continued.
Introducing Itumeleng “Lucky” Mathibela
Six months ago, the future looked uncertain for Itumeleng “Lucky” Mathibela and his family. This upbeat young man has been looking after four young siblings (aged 15, 7, 5 and 2) and his sixty-four year old pensioner grandmother, since he lost his mother in July last year. At the same time, he’s been studying hard to complete his matric.
His family of six was staying in a 15m2 room, at Roodepoort Durban Deep Mine hostel and using communal ablution facilities. Obviously a mine hostel is not the safest environment for a family. They endured endless nights of noise, and alcohol induced violence.
While most young men of his age were enjoying their matric holiday, Lucky was looking for ways to make a better life for his family. He found an abandoned home outside of the hostel and made enquiries as to how he could rent it for his family. He eventually moved his family into the home even though it had no electricity, running water or ablution facilities, as it gave them a safer environment than the one they were living in at the hostel.
In December 2012, Lucky wrote to 94.7’s Christmas Wish Team asking for assistance in finding a decent home where the children could play outside in a safe environment and he could find an internship in education so he could become a teacher and provide for his family.
Today a brighter future awaits the Mathibela family. They have been living safely in a rented home in Bram Fischerville since December and in January Lucky began his four year sponsored BEd degree at the University of Johannesburg’s flagship Soweto Campus. On the 1 June 2012 the Mathibela family moves into their brand new home. As Lucky said, “this is a dream come true”.
Daniel Esterhuyse Marketing Manager
RBA Homes (Pty) Ltd
t: 011 483 5000 | c: 082 922 7486 | www.rbahomes.co.za
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