GEORGE, WESTERN CAPE

Like many disadvantaged South Africans, Ntombokuqala has been working hard to break the cycle of poverty. She currently resides in a small two bedroom home with her husband and 5-year-old boy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Niyabo work full time jobs while their son attends kindergarten.

In 2010, the Niyabo’s took their rst Kuyasa loan of R7,500 on a 24 month loan repayment schedule, to extend the structure of their home. They used the funds to purchase cement, bricks and window frames. They also foresee taking a second loan to help with the cost of building a new toilet. Prior to their current abode, they resided in a run down house located in a derelict area in George: Zone 9. Life is improving but their new house still needs lots of work.

With a baby on the way, and only four months left of formal employment for Ntombokuqala, the couple has been focused on saving. At the moment they share the monthly repayments, but once the baby arrives Mr. Niyabo will have to work extra shifts as a security guard to cover the costs. Ntombokuqala will also continue to sell school uniforms on a part time basis to oset the lose of income. We wish the Niyabo’s all the best!

Zoliswa Chosi came from an impoverished neighborhood and fought herway from nothing to a successful tavern owner - something she maintains she could not have done without the help of the Kuyasa Fund.

When Zoliswa first heard of the Kuyasa Fund from her neighbour, she was living in a shack with her three daughters. She was desperate to improve their living conditions and recollects the hardship she endured as a single mother, “because I am suffering, I am one parent.”Quite swiftly, Zoliswa made her way to a Kuyasa local Customer Service Centre and took out her first loan for R5000. With the new provision of funds, Zoliswa began building her home. Shortly after the construction finished,she opened a fully licensed tavern, hosting customers in the front section of her house.

Sylvia and Kelvin Marasha have been long standing citizens of the township community Khayelitsha for several decades now. They own a small house consisting of 4 little rooms: kitchen, toilet, lounge and one bedroom. Their 42 meter squared house has provided a roof over their heads for the birth of their four children but the quarters have always been tight and cramped. The growing family has recently welcomed twin granddaughters into their lives, which brings the family size up to 8. Along with the joys of new grandchildren comes a longing for more space.

Mr. Marasha had always dreamt of expanding the family home but was restricted financially, like so many others. His two eldest daughters, currently unemployed, and his two youngest sons, enrolled in school, were unable to contribute any earnings to this dream. Without the financial support of his family the opportunity to expand looked dim. With the help of a Kuyasa loan, Mr. and Mrs. Marasha are set to build two new bedrooms on the back of the existing structure. Not only will this give the wedded couple a room of their own for the first time ever, it will allow the two youngest sons, who currently sleep on mats in the lounge, to upgrade to a bedroom of their own. Mr. Marasha could not be happier. The full expansion is set to be finished by early July but don’t worry he is already planning for his next loan.

Nora lives alone in Khayelitsha with her son Khulile, who like Ntombonina is a pensioner. She too relies on her monthly grant to support herself. Nora and her son have lived in their home for over twenty years without ever having the opportunity to make improvements. The floors have never been tiled and moreover, have been left as cracked and broken cement pieces. The ceiling has never been properly plastered along with the roof in the back room.

Cold winter months make these living arrangements all the more uncomfortable with cool drafts and no insulation. Although they have only taken one loan with Kuyasa, to date, their mandate is two fold. They have already begun installing the pine finishing in their kitchen and have purchased tiles and cement to lay in the kitchen and lounge area. There is nothing but high hopes for their next loan. 

Khulile now works full time, which has increased their financial stability. As a result, the Kuyasa loan repayments are a combined mother and son effort. They are working together to improve their living standards and have bonded in the mean time.

Women headed households have always been a priority for the Kuyasa Fund and for good reason. Not only are they a visible and readily identifiable group, the evidence is there to support their above average risk of poverty. Gender disparities in terms of rights, education, capabilities and lower earnings have all contributed to the disparity between male and female-headed households.

The Kuyasa Fund is proud to extend credit to South African women who have suffered at the hands of social and economic discrimination. In fact, 76% of our clients are women.

Ntombonina Dyavu is a resilient grandmother of 12, who has struggled all her life to provide for her family. Widowed at a young age she was left with 6 children to raise. Over the course of the last two decades the one- bedroom house has welcomed grandchild after grandchild. Through the provisions of Ntombonina’s government old-age pension she has qualified for a Kuyasa loan. With only one family member currently able to work the earnings are meager and life is challenging… but with the loan comes new hope. The family is happy to be expanding their dwellings and have already finished building 1 of 2 new bedrooms. Over the coming weeks the second room will be finished and the Dyavu family will enjoy more much needed space. The smiles on their faces speak louder than words.