Facing an uncertain future

89-year-old Mlanzi is blind and cares for five grandchildren - one of which, Janet, is pictured with her (names have been changed) [Fiona Callister/CAFOD]

89-year-old Mlanzi cares for five grandchildren in a one-room mud hut in the Matobo district in Matabeleland South. Dependent on donations of food, the family do not know if they have a future

Mlanzi, who is blind, told CAFOD, "Last year, life was hard but at least we had a harvest.

"This year none of my neighbours harvested anything. We planted maize and sorghum but we harvested nothing at all.

"I live only on food donations [from CAFOD partner CADEC]. The little bits of money that my grandchildren can get together from selling vegetables go towards paying other household bills such as buying soap."

Not enough to share

Mlanzi's neighbours have always helped her out, sharing food and lending her grandchildren money to buy vegetables to sell on locally. But they are no longer in a position to help.

Mlanzi's 16-year-old granddaughter Janet, says, "Since I left school I have sold vegetables to help keep the family. But it’s about six months since I was able to do this because our neighbours can’t help me buy the vegetables now."

"Before our neighbours would bring us little bits of food but they don’t have enough to share now."

Now Janet looks after her grandmother, fetches water for the family and keeps the hut clean. But with no harvest and no source of income, the family faces an uncertain future.

Mlanzi says, "As I am blind, I need constant care from my granddaughter, who helps me get about. If I didn’t get help I would just sit and wait for my death.

"I don’t know what will happen to us in the future."

The names in this piece have been changed

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