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Government and the sporting fraternity stepped in to address the welfare concerns surrounding Springbok women’s rugby player and Border captain, Lusanda Dumke.
On Tuesday Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements, and the Chippa Mpengesi Foundation announced interventions aimed at improving the talented rugby player’s living conditions.
It was reported in August that Dumke had turned down the car she won as a prize after being crowned Eastern Cape Sports Start of the Year in favour of a house.
The Daily Dispatch reported that Dumke, who won the SA women’s player of the year award in 2021, lives in squalid conditions in a shack in Unit 10 in Mdantsane in East London.
She is currently in New Zealand with the SA squad for the Women's World Cup tournament.
BCM Deputy Executive Mayor Princess Faku held a meeting with MEC of Human Settlements, Siphokazi Lusithi, and Foundation Chairman Chippa Mpengesi on Tuesday to discuss Dumke’s situation.
She said her situation was also raised across different levels of government, including the Office of the Premier, and it was suggested that the player keep her vehicle, and “we proceed as government to build her a home on top of this dividend."
She said the Chippa Mpengsi Foundation donated R300 000 towards the social assistance for Dumke.
Meanwhile, MEC Lusithi said the Department of Human Settlements would be contributing an individual subsidy to the value of R165 000 towards her house.
South Africa open their Women’s World Cup rugby campaign against France in a Pool C encounter at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.
