Linda Twala was born to one of the original residents of Alexandra, the township that has come to represent South Africa’s inequality, with wealthy Sandton across the road. He buries people and creates safe spaces for learning, helping to make him an invaluable part of the community. The 75-year old spent a day last week with Mashadi Kekana for the Good News Edition — this is his story.
She was one of the first black people to settle in Alexandra, in a mud house, when the township was formed in 1912. Annie’s father worked as a chef for Herbert Papenfus, a wealthy farmer who owned the land that would eventually become the township. Alexandra was named after Papenfus’ wife. During a drive through the township, Twala stops on 4th Avenue at 97-year-old Elizabeth Mataboge’s house. Twala recently built Mataboge a toilet inside her home because she was struggling to get to the one outside and it’s clear that he has a soft spot for her. His face becomes more animated as he asks after her well-being and puts his arm around her shoulder. At the end of the conversation, he asks her what she’d like him to get her.
“On the day of the funeral, I was sitting in the church and my father came straight to me. I was scared thinking he’s going to hit me but he shook my hand and said: ‘well done son, you’re a man now’. I was so happy. I started walking tall. This is where the passion for taking care of the elderly and the vulnerable started.”
Twala’s three daughters, who were at home, were able to escape the burning house and hide. “Everything was burnt in the house but the only thing that mattered to me is that my children were safe,” Twala adds. Twala is involved in the day-to-day running of the centre but, although he is a regular, he always gets crowded as soon as he steps out of his car. He takes this in his stride.
“This centre came about when I said I’d rather go live at my mother’s home and build a centre of excellence so that 10 years down the line, we are able to decrease crime in the community by meeting our children’s demands head on.” Waving at a group of twelve children sitting in a circle in a classroom he says: “Some of these children are going to end up in Parliament.”
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Nothing willing different if people in Alex have no dignified houses He will never take back what he did, bloody racist Dont expect praise from me.
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