Woodmead-based Aspen Pharmacare made a significant difference in the lives of Mrs Annah Nhlapo, her 4 children and 1 grandchild this Mandela Day. Through Habitat for Humanity, Aspen Pharmacare built a home for Mrs Nhlapo in Orange Farm.

Mrs Nhlapo, a 47 year old widowed domestic worker, has lived in a shack on the property for 16 years. On Monday, July 16 construction of her new home started. The house was built according to pre-approved plans over 5 days. Each day trained builders constructed the home, with the assistance of 15 Aspen Pharmacare employees.

The 40m² - 2 bedroom home also has a separate bathroom and toilet, a kitchen and a living area. The brick structure dwelling wass plastered and painted with ceilings, plumbing and electrical installation also taken care of. More than 75 Aspen Pharmacare employees assisted in the construction of Mrs Nhlapo's new home and once it is established staff can elect to provide further support in the form of painting window sills, establishing a garden, donating bedding, curtains, crockery, furniture or kitchen appliances. The keys to the home were handed over to Mrs Nhlapo amid cheers of joy.

About Habitat for Humanity 
Habitat for Humanity is an international, non-governmental, non-profit organisation devoted to building "simple, decent, and affordable" housing - a self-described "Christian housing ministry. Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 and today it has built more than 300,000 houses, sheltering more than 1.5 million people in more than 3,000 communities worldwide.

The week of the 16 – 20 July will see hundreds of South Africans responding to Habitat for Humanity’s call to join them in their quest to reach their target of 67 houses during their International Nelson Mandela Build Week.

The houses are being built across South Africa in Orange Farm (Gauteng), Mfuleni (Western Cape) and Umgababa (KZN). On the 5th and final day of the build, Friday 20 July, all of the houses around the country will be handed over to the various beneficiaries.