Gauteng Human Settlements MEC Tasneem Motara visited orphaned siblings in Sedibeng on Wednesday, commending a teacher whose social media video brought their plight to the attention of the provincial government and ultimately secured them a house.

MEC Motara, accompanied by Emfuleni Local Municipality Mayor Hassan Makoa and officials from the Department of Social Development, visited the Mqutheni siblings as part of her ongoing programme of having tea with new housing beneficiaries. Through these visits, the MEC assesses whether beneficiaries are satisfied with the quality of their houses and how they are adjusting to their new homes.

The siblings, who are in matric this year, had previously been living in a dilapidated shack. Their situation came to the attention of Tshepo Mofokeng, a teacher at El-Shaddai Christian School, after a friend and colleague who teaches at Tsolo Secondary School — where the siblings are enrolled as learners — told him about their circumstances.

"When I arrived at their shack, my heart was broken to see children living in that kind of environment."

Tshepo Mofokeng, teacher, El-Shaddai Christian School

Mofokeng said he asked the children for permission to record a video and share it on social media in the hope of attracting help. The video reached further than he anticipated.

"People responded with help, and little did I know that the video would also reach the provincial government. I am extremely happy with everything that has since happened," he said.

MEC Motara used the visit to publicly recognise Mofokeng's intervention, describing him as an example of what the teaching profession is meant to represent.

"I want to thank Mr Mofokeng for going above and beyond his responsibilities and demonstrating what teaching truly means."

MEC Tasneem Motara, Gauteng Human Settlements

The MEC told the beneficiaries she was pleased to see them settled in their new community, and emphasised that the department's responsibility did not end at the handover of keys.

"We do not want to just hand over keys and disappear. What I saw today is that you have new friends, new neighbours and a new community, and we wish you well," she said.

MEC Motara also acknowledged that while all beneficiaries of government-subsidised houses were vulnerable, some faced more acute circumstances than others.

During the same visit, she had tea with other beneficiaries including 86-year-old Nombuyiselo Zikhali and other elderly residents.

Mofokeng said that since the siblings received a house and other assistance, he had been able to return his full attention to his own learners.

He said the determination and discipline of the children had encouraged him, noting that they could have turned to harmful habits to survive, but instead chose to focus on their education.

During her broader programme in the Sedibeng region, MEC Motara also met with the developers of the Obed "Mthombeni" Nkosi, Impumelelo and Katlehong Extension 28 mega housing projects, as part of her oversight function to ensure quality houses are delivered on time. She further held a community meeting with residents of Sicelo Township.