​Thembisa Shologu
It was a bitter-sweet occasion for Maggie Mashiloane (45) when she was handed keys to her new house on Thursday.
The Pretoria West mother and a child aged three years escaped a house fire with minor injuries, while her four children and a helper perished in the blaze last November.
"I am very happy today. It is a day to celebrate even though my heart is broken because the house came after a very tragic accident. 
"I have lost children in that house but am grateful for the one I still have. We now have a shelter, a roof over our heads," said Mashiloane when he was handed the keys to the house which was built by a private construction company.
"The pain can never go away, my children died but I am very grateful for the house we have received," she said. 
Human Settlements and Urban Planning MEC Lebogang Maile said he was pleased that they were able to assist the family while commending the private company.
"A promise made is a promise kept. We are pleased that we were able to assist this deserving family to get a brand-new home built after the horrible fire incident that rendered them homeless. 
"When disasters strike, as individuals we should help out wherever we can. The family lost their home in a tragic fire last year," he said.