Jemina Masilo, a mother of two, demonstrates resilience and determination every day. Picture: Supplied
EVERY rainy season, Jemina Masilo, a dedicated committee member of the Association of and for Persons with Disabilities - Frances Baard District (APD-FB), faces a harsh reality. Living in a shack in Homevale, Kimberley, her home becomes nearly unliveable each time it rains heavily. For many, the rain is an inconvenience; for Jemina, it’s a profound and recurring crisis.
Jemina, a mother of two, lives without the use of her arms. Yet, she demonstrates resilience and determination every day. She works at the Galeshewe Day Hospital, performing her job duties on the computer entirely with her feet. But when rain seeps into her home - as it did this past weekend - the challenges that Jemina faces extend far beyond disability. Her shack, situated on an open plot allocated by the municipality, floods consistently during heavy rainfalls. Furniture, personal items, and even her limited resources for survival are damaged time and again by the waters that invade her living space.
Despite multiple attempts to address her situation with local authorities, Jemina has been met with silence. The local councillor and municipality have yet to take concrete action or propose a suitable alternative. Her home, meant to be a refuge, instead becomes a flood-prone environment every rainy season.
Jemina’s son has been her primary support, helping clear and clean the shack each time it floods. But with college plans in Bloemfontein on his horizon next year, Jemina will soon face these struggles alone. Her daughter, still in primary school, is too young to shoulder such a burden. And while neighbours are near, they have not always offered assistance.
“This is no place for Jemina to live,” said a friend and advocate from APD-FB. “Despite her strength and resilience, these conditions are completely unsuitable. She deserves a safe place to call home.”
Disability Rights Awareness Month serves as a reminder of the rights and dignity that should be afforded to all people with disabilities. Jemina’s story highlights the harsh reality faced by many people with disabilities in under-resourced communities: inaction from officials, unsuitable living conditions, and an environment that threatens their safety and well-being.
“This can’t go on,” said her friend. “My heart aches for her. Jemina is a remarkable woman who deserves better - a home that doesn’t flood, a community that stands beside her, and officials who listen.”
Jemina’s story highlights the plight of persons with disabilities in Kimberley, particularly in marginalised communities where housing and infrastructure fail to meet basic needs. Disability Rights Awareness Month brings attention to these challenges, underscoring the need for adequate support, housing, and assistance for people like Jemina, who continue to struggle for dignified living conditions.
With her son leaving next year, Jemina will face these challenges alone. Advocates are urging local authorities to take action, not only to support Jemina but to address the wider systemic issues that leave people with disabilities in such vulnerable positions.
As Kimberley marks Disability Rights Awareness Month, Jemina’s story stands as a reminder of the pressing need for action. A safe, stable home would mean more than shelter for her and her family - it would provide security, dignity, and a chance to live without fear of the next rainfall.
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* Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) is observed annually in November in South Africa. It's dedicated to raising awareness about the rights, challenges, and contributions of people with disabilities. DRAM highlights the importance of inclusion, accessibility, and equal opportunities in various areas of life, such as education, employment, health care, and social participation.