Home-in-a-day for Hornlee homeless

KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna United community group (previously known as Hornlee United) last week honoured the legend of Nelson Mandela by building a house for a family in need as their 67 Minutes initiative on Mandela Day on 18 July.

"People all over South Africa were busy with their 67 minutes of good deeds and we would like to commend everyone who used Mandela Day to change the lives of people," said Knysna United leader Ralph Stander.

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"We were made attentive to the plight of the family of five, where they all sleep, eat and live in a one room house. Some of them had to sleep on the floor."

At around 08:00 men and women, old and young stepped in and began the process of building a house for the family in need. They also received visits from deputy mayor Aubrey Tsengwa, councillor Ian Uys, and Susan Campbell who whent to encourage the team on the work they were doing. "We are happy to report that by 17:00 the house was completed,"Stander said.

"We want to thank Susan, as she was also a generous donor of material. We also want to thank Buco Knysna and Knysna Timber Clad for their donations of material. Also, to Theo Mwali for his support.

"A special thanks to all the leaders and members of Knysna United who not only gave 67 minutes, but a whole day," Stander said, adding, "A special thanks to the ladies of Knysna United who started early to cook food and then came to build and then had to leave building to go and feed the children and who then returned to finish the house."

Stander concluded, "Knysna United has moved from community builders to builders of homes, and we commit ourselves to our vision of One Family, One Plot."

Knysna United leader Ralph Stander amid the action.