News / Africa
Violent storm blamed on Mandela's spirit
18 Dec 2013 at 04:39hrs | Views
Mbombela - Residents who were left homeless when a storm tore through their town on Thursday night believe it was the hand of late president Nelson Mandela passing over them.
Two people were killed and more than a dozen people injured in the storm in Matsulu, in Mpumalanga.
"This was not just rain. It was the late president Nelson Mandela who was bidding us farewell. The day after he came to Matsulu in 1990 there was heavy rain, so that is happening again," said one resident.
Angeline Shabangu, 61, told African Eye News Service that she thought she would die when the walls of her house collapsed around her.
"I was enjoying my food in the sitting room but had to leave it when I heard heavy rain. I went straight to my room, but it was too late.
"The wall started falling on my bed. I could not pray any prayer. The only thing I could say was, 'Please, Mandela, do not take me with you," she said.
Nombuso Tfumbatsi, 30, also believes that Mandela's spirit visited the village.
"I took my baby as she was asleep when the heavy rain started. Suddenly rain was pouring into my house and when I looked up there was no roofing. This was a different rain altogether.
"It was Madiba that was around Matsulu to bid us farewell.
"Even though we did not make it to Qunu, he was here with us. My daughter cried when this was happening and while I was carrying her I said, 'Mandela, please forgive us, please, Tata, do not take us to your holy place'," she said.
Spokesperson for the department of co-operative governance and traditional affairs, Simpiwe Kunene, said two people died and 125 houses were destroyed.
About a dozen people were injured and taken to Rob Ferreira Hospital.
"We have distributed a number of tents to help out the families that are in need," he said.
Two people were killed and more than a dozen people injured in the storm in Matsulu, in Mpumalanga.
"This was not just rain. It was the late president Nelson Mandela who was bidding us farewell. The day after he came to Matsulu in 1990 there was heavy rain, so that is happening again," said one resident.
Angeline Shabangu, 61, told African Eye News Service that she thought she would die when the walls of her house collapsed around her.
"I was enjoying my food in the sitting room but had to leave it when I heard heavy rain. I went straight to my room, but it was too late.
"The wall started falling on my bed. I could not pray any prayer. The only thing I could say was, 'Please, Mandela, do not take me with you," she said.
"I took my baby as she was asleep when the heavy rain started. Suddenly rain was pouring into my house and when I looked up there was no roofing. This was a different rain altogether.
"It was Madiba that was around Matsulu to bid us farewell.
"Even though we did not make it to Qunu, he was here with us. My daughter cried when this was happening and while I was carrying her I said, 'Mandela, please forgive us, please, Tata, do not take us to your holy place'," she said.
Spokesperson for the department of co-operative governance and traditional affairs, Simpiwe Kunene, said two people died and 125 houses were destroyed.
About a dozen people were injured and taken to Rob Ferreira Hospital.
"We have distributed a number of tents to help out the families that are in need," he said.
Source - African Eye
