Shamefully neglected - Chomee's great-grandma rescued
THIS week Sunday World came to the rescue of the long-suffering great-grandmother of kwaito starlet Chomee.
LOSING IT: Family feuds prevent Sanah Ndaba from getting full-time help. Picture by Veli NhlapoWe'll be working with the family to determine exactly what's the cause of the situation she finds herself in
Granny Sanah Ndaba has been abandoned and is destitute and sickly.
Ndaba was taken to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto and was to be confined to an old-age home after social workers concluded that her situation was dire.
After being alerted to Ndaba's miserable plight by Sunday World, social workers arrived in Orlando East, Soweto, last week to assess her situation and found it overwhelmingly unpleasant.
Ndaba lives alone in her four-roomed house. The neighbours estimate her age at over 90 years. She wakes up early and sits on the side of the road, come rain or shine, in her night dress until well in the day. One of her neighbours usually serves her with porridge.
When Sunday World visited her on Thursday morning she was sitting outside her house as reported.
The fragile Ndaba has been living alone since the death of her daughter Thandi, Chomee's grandmother, whom neighbours say took care of her.
When the social workers arrived, Ndaba related conflicting stories about her welfare.
"I'm fine," she raged. "I'm not sick. I don't need anyone to help me, I'm government; I work for the government. My daughters take care of me. I'm well-looked after."
A moment later she was unable to stand up.
"Please, help me get to the house. I want to see why these people [social workers] are in my house. I'm sick. I can't see properly. I can't walk myself without help," she said.
She told social workers that her last-born daughter Thembi often comes by, a claim that was contradicted by neighbours.
Zandile (who withheld her surname), granddaughter of Thembi, testified that her great-grandmother was neglected .
Sunday World understands that in 2010 Zandile persuaded the family to meet to discuss taking her grandmother to an old-age home. But her suggestion was allegedly shot down by the family.
"No one can live with my grandma," said Zandile. "Her situation is complicated by the house issue. One might look after her to find that after she dies they [other family members] will chase one away."
After assessing the old lady's situation, the social workers called for emergency services to dispatch her to hospital. She will be confined to an old-age home until authorities decide on her welfare.
"We'll be working with the family to determine exactly what's the cause of the situation she finds herself in. However, the final decision will have to be taken by the family." said Gauteng health and social development departmental head Shoki Tshabalala.
For her part, Chomee has been helpful towards her great-grandmother, occasionally bringing her groceries. Sunday World understands that Chomee wanted to help her , but was allegedly prevented by the family feud . She visited her great-grandmother in hospital on Friday.
dlaminim@sundayworld.co.za
melody1
What kinda family is this? you guy's have no shame abondoning your great-grandmother, shame on all of you, even you Chomee shame on you, thats a louzy excuse not taking her in your care cause of family fued that's NONSENCE.
MuAfro
Some of us wish we had great grand parents, but all we know is our parents only. Grand parents and great grand parents passed on b4 we were born.Where is ubuntu we always talk about?
kudi
Choomie you got those legs from your Grand mother they look exatly like yours - you should be thankful girl
swona
is Chommie the only relative to this great grand mother? why do we have to make her Chommie's only responsibility? not to say she must look away!
Melchedezek
even the BIBLE say Gray hair is a crown or Righteousness, a gray haired aged woman abondoned...shame on all of you, chomee and the rest of the family, i undastnd family issues n all tht bt we nt talking abt a middle age woman tht can wake up n fend for herself here, la swabisa maan, some people wish they had grand parents and this is what you do to the poor old lady.....shame on all of you......
THEOZA
But seriously guys, this old woman is Chomee's great-grandmother, she can't be her responsibility? surely the old woman has daughters and grand-daughters before chomee, she is the 3rd generation so why should she be the one taking care of the old woman? come on, it is chomee's grand-mother and Chomee's mother atleast to take care of this ailing old woman not hers specifically, hers to do is to give them money and then they can take care of the g-grandmother.
