Family Name : Zwane Family

Area : Known to TCF

Area DF : Sbo Sithole

Family Composition

Gladys Zwane, Female, 62, Care giver

Ntokozo Ntshangase, Female, 12, Orphan

Thandeka Ntshangase, Female, 15, Orphan

Thabsile Ntshangase, Female, 20, Grand daughter

Zandile Zwane, Female, 36, Caregiver’s daughter

Hlengiwe Hlangu, Female, 4 months, Grand daughter

Zamokuhle Zwane, Male, 12, Grand son

Nonjabulo Zwane, Female, 6, Grand daughter

Pinky Dlamini, Female, 9, Grand daughter

Family background

This family was identified in 2008 by the volunteer. It consists of nine (9) family members, of which 6 are children and 3 are adults who are the grandmother (caregiver), her daughter and the grand daughter. They all depend on grandmother’s old age pension. The two orphans were living with their parents at Springs. The mother passed away in 1997 and the father followed in 2006. After the death of their biological parents the children were left unattended and they then decided to move to their maternal grandmother where they are presently staying.

Basic Financial security

The only source of income is the caregiver’s old age pension grant (R960). The 3 children’s support grant (CSG) of R720 was suspended after the Pinetown branch of South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) discovered that Zandile Zwane their mother was not living with them then.

Physical well-being

The caregiver and the children are physically well, only the caregiver’s daughter has a backache problem because she fell in the yard and hurt herself.

Emotional well-being

Both children who are orphans have been to memory box camp in December and the follow up could not be made because TCF was preparing to close for December holidays. A volunteer has been assigned to facilitate the development and change with the children.

Cognitive Wellbeing

Both children attend school, Thandeka is in grade 9 and Ntokozo in grade 7. Their school attendance and progress is good. Their school uniforms are not in good condition.

Basic housing and accommodation

The family is living in a rondavel and a small mud house which is in a bad condition and another one collapsed during the recent storms.

Basic environmental health

The household is clean and tidy inside and outside.

Basic household equipment

The family does not have basic household equipment like pots and bedding.

Basic food and nutrition

The family does not have sufficient income to buy nutritious food. They also have a garden which provides them with some vegetables.

Future Plans

The caregiver has been advised to go and apply for foster care grant placement for the children who are orphans and while waiting for an application to be processed she was advised to apply for child support grant. Her daughter was also advised to apply for child support grant in respect of her children. Thandanani is going to assess the possibility of expanding on the household food and supply seeds so that they can grow more vegetables. Our social worker is also going to assist the mother to reapply for the Child Support Grant for her 3 children.