COUPLE LIVING IN CAVE

MBABANE – A couple has carved a simple life for themselves by turning a huge rock into a home for the past two years.

Shadrack Ntshangase (56) and Nomsa Dlamini, whose age is unknown, have found refuge under a gigantic boulder, the size of a Quantum bus, which is cleft on a sloppy hill near the end of Corporation Township in the Capital City, Mbabane.

The cave is on the part of Mdzimba Mountain which falls under Corporation, overlooking the back of the defunct Swazi Inn in Malagwane, along the Mbabane/Manzini Highway.

Beneath the giant boulder that acts as a roof to the makeshift house, is another rock that forms the base of the cave and has a natural cradle that suspends the giant rock to an elevated position.

Mother nature also placed smaller rocks at one end of the cave, as if to assist in holding up the roof that is the giant boulder. In-between the boulders is a one metre opening, conducive enough for the couple to call their bedroom.

Crawl

To manoeuvre in this frame, one has to literally crawl on all fours, while any slight miscalculation would result in an ‘ouch!’ as the head bumps the rocky ceiling.
For a bed, the couple has a piece of sail and a grass mat.

They then spread a blanket across and use two sofa cushions as pillows. The permanently open entrance to the cave lets in the cold winter wind, while there are a few other permanent openings other than the main entrance, also exposing the inhabitants to weather elements. However, due to the dense forest around the cave, there is no light coming into these outlets. Ntshangase said his life was too miserable that he could not even afford a candle.

When the couple returns home from foraging for food, at nighttime in most instances, they go straight to sleep oblivious of any possible danger that could lurk near them. The surrounding vegetation that forms a canopy is also a breeding ground for snakes, spiders, scorpions and other potentially harmful animals.

Spacious

Ntshangase said he was recently given pieces of planks from pallets, with which he built a structure on top of a rock.
He used the timber structure for bathing as it was spacious enough and allowed them to remain in a standing position. Among items of interest found in the structure was his toothbrush, shoe brush, buckets filled with water and pots. The roofless structure lacks a firm foundation such that Ntshangase treads cautiously above it, admitting it may crumble anytime.  

An open fire outside the cave looks idle, with a pot on it. Ntshangase said the last time he used it was when he heated water for bathing in the morning.
Nomsa Dlamini, the girlfriend, was not ‘home’ when the Swazi News team visited on Thursday, as Ntshangase cut a lonely figure.
“She went away just recently, probably because sometimes the cold is unbearable in here. I’m expecting her to come back anytime,” he said.
He added that he met his girlfriend over a year ago after he relocated to Corporation.

In most instances, such a humble abode is common with people who are mentally unstable. However, this is not the case with Ntshangase, who was found wearing a clean pair of jeans, a trending jacket and sneakers.

Humble

The soft spoken Ntshangase seemed uneasy with the news team as visitors, but after much persuasion he allowed them into his compound, further showing them around. He said a life filled with misfortune and fate had relegated him to this impoverished state.

When a question was asked if he did not fear thieves would steal his belongings, as they lay around without security while he was away, he dismissed the mere thought: “I hate the act of theft. I don’t steal anyone’s goods and do not suppose someone could also think of stealing my things.”

He explained how he used to have a home at Nkhaba, about 40 kilometres from Mbabane, but allegedly lost it under a cloud of controversy.
“Both my parents are no more, having died several years ago, leaving me and five siblings behind. I have two sisters and three brothers who I grew up with in Nkhaba. However, my brothers now live in South Africa, where they went to search for job opportunities several years ago. I don’t know where my sisters live and I lost contact with all my siblings.”

He said while living in his home, some people approached him to say that they had purchased the home and that he should move out. He said the people did not explain who had sold the home to them.

Discouraged

When asked why he did not take the matter up with the local authorities because the area was administered under the Nkhaba Royal Kraal, he said he was discouraged by the assumption that the authorities knew about his plight and did nothing.
“I didn’t bother to go there because seemingly they knew everything about the transaction but did not help me. I just decided to let go and started living the life of a vagabond,” he said.

He admitted that none of his family members knew his whereabouts.
Ntshangase said he earned a living from doing menial tasks such as helping to carry people’s loads when going to catch buses from shops in town.
“I am only able to make enough money to buy bread from Pick n Pay because it is cheaper there. If I was lucky to make more money I would buy soup to go with the bread. If I manage to get a loaf of bread, it will be my lunch and supper. I do not have breakfast.”

He said he had recently informed his girlfriend’s brother that she had left his house and further asked if she was at her parental home at Emajotini, near Mhlosheni.

Cold

“He said he had also not been home for a while and did not know if she was there or not. It’s the cold that drove her away. She will come back,” he said.
Ntshangase appealed to the public for a job and a place to stay, saying he was tired of the life he was living. He said he feared that he could die in the cave without anyone noticing.

The Headman of Nkhaba, Petros Kunene said he would investigate the issue of Ntshangase to ascertain its veracity.
“I’ve only assumed the leadership role a year ago and will have to ask those who have been here for longer if they played any role in such a case.”
The Municipal Council of Mbabane said the issue would be investigated.

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