Mama Margaret is a hero within her community; after losing her son to HIV in 1995, she started taking in abandoned children and now, watches as they graduate university and go on to live full lives.
Makhanda, South Africa (07 December 2022) – The Home of Joy, run by Nomalungelo Margaret Ngcangca, also known as Mama Margaret, takes in abandoned youngsters and babies, caring for them as if they were her very own.
Mama Margaret, as the kids call her, established the haven in 1995 shortly after losing her son to HIV-Aids. She had seen how people were treated when they tested positive and established a haven for children who had no other refuge.
“Home of Joy looks after children who don’t have parents and those whose parents are not fit to care for them,” she explained, sitting on a lounge suite that had clearly seen better days. “We give them food, love and shelter.”
She said that she worked hard to provide for the children’s basic needs “because they deserve to be given a chance”.
With little to no backing through governmental and other official channels, the haven is heavily dependent on the community for support. Over the years, Mama Margaret has known many struggles and has always found that the community has been incredibly supportive through them.
A “Winter Warmers” drive organised by Kelston Isuzu Grahamstown earlier this year was one campaign that had made a real difference, according to Mama Margaret. People were asked to drop off warm garments at the dealer’s premises and the response was so overwhelming that the dealership ended up donating three bakkie loads of clothing and blankets.
“That was very helpful because we don’t have any funding and what money there is I use to buy food,” said Mama Margaret, who is currently responsible for the wellbeing of 32 children, four of whom are babies.
“When we get assistance like that, we keep some clothing for future use and what we can’t use we give to the community around us. They are also suffering so we help them wherever we can.”
Kelston Isuzu sales manager Duifie Niewoudt said it was amazing to see how the community came together to support the children.
“It would not have been possible without them; we are extremely grateful to everyone who has contributed. It was priceless to see the smiles on the children’s faces.”
Even though Mama Margaret is a mother figure to the children, she rules with an iron fist to instil a sense of discipline that she believes will stand them in good stead as they navigate adult life. This has proven a valuable tool for her children and they have gone on to thrive in the world beyond the haven. One of her children is currently studying to become a nurse at Rhodes.
“With no parents to care for them, I tell them they must behave, listen to me and finish school. Then they can go out to find a job.”
“At the end they do feel like my children. It’s not easy to let them go but I know, once they have qualified, they must go out and find work.”
Faith has helped Mama Margaret, who was named Makhanda’s Citizen of the Year in 2011, overcome many obstacles.
“We are always looking for donations and one time we had no food in the house, so I prayed to God for a miracle,” she said. “All I had was some stale bread which I got from a supermarket; it was really hard.”
In September, she received an Ubuntu award from Kingswood College on behalf of the local community for all the work she has done over the last few decades.
“On behalf of the Grahamstown community, the interact pupils and staff from Kingswood College, we present this award to you today because of the massive impact you have made in our community. Your sacrifices and your work do not go unseen”, it reads.
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