'Oupa Besem', who used to be well-known selling his homemade brooms in Knysna, is becoming increasingly frail and cannot leave his home to sell his wares in town as often as he used to. Although he does receive a grant, he still battles to make ends meet and is often in dire straights and in need of good, nutritional food.
Bouwer heard that Tubatsi's room needed to be properly sealed against the cold Winter air and his toilet and shower also needed fixing.
'Oupa Besem' has never had warm water and if anyone is willing to donate a solar or other type of geyser, Bouwer would be happy to make the installation thereof, a project for one of his students at the Hands and Hearts Skills Development Centre.
'Oupa Besem' is a World War II veteran who spent time in a concentration camp in Italy. Last year, after reading about the stately old gentleman's plight in the Knysna-Plett Herald, Derek Vosloo most generously extended Oupa Besem's house and did many repairs out of his own pocket. Previously, 'Oupa Besem' had lived next door to his own house in a cardboard room while other people occupied the house. After Vosloo had enlarged it and spent a considerable amount on improving the place, 'Oupa Besem' was able to move back into his house.
"If we can find a geyser to install for 'Oupa Besem' so that he can have warm, running water for a comfortable shower, I think it will be a great hands-on experience for our students. This is exactly the type of situation they may often encounter in many neighbourhoods where people will seek their skills as trained handymen. Once we have the necessary material, we are all set to go and look forward to the challenge," smiled Bouwer.
Apart from food, material to seal the bedroom floor and a warm water geyser, 'Oupa Besem' also needs a tall, strong upright chair from which he can easily get up. For more information, contact the Knysna-Plett Herald at 044 382 1185 or Garald Bouwer at the Hands and Hearts Skills Development Centre on 044 382 2741.
WW II-veteran, the broom seller Matshete Siebert Tubatsi ('Oupa Besem') is always grateful for any help he can get and a warm plate of food. Busy taking measurements in toilet-and-shower room that needs fixing, is Garald Bouwer, one of the instructors at Youth for Christ Knysna's Hands and Hearts Skills Development Centre.
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