Three Generations of Xaba Family
By Mpho Moloi
Soweto, South Africa –
A community wrapped in grief came together on January 3, 2026, to say goodbye to three beloved members of the Xaba family, whose lives were tragically cut short in a building collapse just days before the new year.
The funeral service at Snake Park in Soweto honoured Hloniphile Xaba (61), her daughter Nqobile Xaba (24), and her one-year-old grandchild Langelihle Xaba, victims of the devastating incident on December 28, 2025.
For the surviving family members left to pick up the pieces, this gathering offered a moment of shared sorrow and support amid the pain of losing loved ones from three generations in one fell swoop.
The Collen Mashawana Foundation (CMF) joined the mourning, with founder Dr. Collen Mashawana attending to pay respects and stand with the community in their time of need.
This heartbreaking loss has touched hearts far beyond Snake Park, reminding everyday South Africans of life’s fragility and the sudden dangers lurking in unstable homes.
As the new year begins with promises of hope, the Xaba family’s story serves as a call for safer housing and quicker help for those in informal settlements.
The service, held in the open air under sombre skies, drew a large crowd including political leaders like City of Johannesburg Council Speaker Cllr. Margret Arnolds and MMC for Health and Social Development Cllr. Ennie Makhafola, showing how one family’s tragedy unites people from all walks.
With the City of Johannesburg pledging alternative accommodation for the Xabas, there is a glimmer of support, but the emotional scars will take time to heal.
In a township where strong bonds hold people together, this final farewell highlights the resilience needed to face such losses.
The collapse at their home in Doornkop, Snake Park, not only claimed three lives but also exposed ongoing issues with unsafe structures in informal settlements.
As the community mourns, calls grow for investigations and better building standards to prevent future heartaches.
The Tragic Collapse: A Family Home Turns Deadly
It happened in the blink of an eye on December 28, 2025, when the Xaba family’s double-storey home in Doornkop, Snake Park, suddenly gave way.
Residents legally occupying the house were inside when the structure failed, trapping them under rubble.
Emergency teams rushed to the scene, but it was too late for Hloniphile, Nqobile, and little Langelihle.
The collapse, possibly due to heavy rains weakening the foundation or poor construction, left the community stunned and searching for answers.
Snake Park, an informal settlement in Soweto, has seen similar woes before, with unstable homes a common risk during wet seasons.
In 2025, over 100 building collapses were reported nationwide, many in townships where poverty forces people into risky dwellings.
For the Xabas, what was a safe haven became a trap, highlighting the urgent need for better housing in areas like this.
The family representative, Nkosana Xaba, shared the pain in statements, noting how the loss of three generations has shattered their world.
Community members like Calisile Nzima expressed devastation, calling it a blow to the tight-knit neighbourhood where everyone knows each other.
The Funeral Service: A Gathering of Grief and Solidarity
The emotional service on January 3, 2026, took place in Zone 7, Snake Park (Doornkop), drawing a large turnout from the Soweto community.
Mourners filled the area, sharing tears and memories under tents set up for the occasion. The atmosphere was heavy with sorrow, but also filled with prayers and songs that honoured the lives lost.
Dr. Collen Mashawana, founder of the CMF, attended to offer condolences and support, standing with regional leaders during the proceedings.
His presence, along with political figures like Speaker Arnolds and MMC Makhafola, showed the wide impact of the tragedy.
The foundation expressed profound grief, noting the deep emotion that marked the day.
Baroka Funeral handled the logistics with dignity, ensuring a respectful send-off.
Steel World and the City of Johannesburg provided support, with the city committing to alternative accommodation for the family – a crucial step in their recovery.
Community Support: Rallying Around the Xabas
In true South African spirit, the Snake Park community has rallied to help the Xabas.
Donations for funeral costs and daily needs poured in, with neighbours cooking meals and offering places to stay. This solidarity reflects the ubuntu that binds townships together in tough times.
The tragedy has also sparked calls for action on unsafe housing.
Residents say they were legally occupying the home, but structural failures are common in informal settlements due to poor materials or lack of inspections.
In Soweto, over 50 collapses were reported in 2025, often linked to heavy rains or overcrowding.
Political leaders at the service promised to push for investigations and better support, ensuring such losses do not happen again. For the Xabas, this help brings some comfort, but nothing eases the void left by three loved ones.
Broader Context: Building Collapses in South African Townships
South Africa’s informal settlements face ongoing risks from unstable structures. In 2025, over 200 deaths linked to collapses nationwide, many in Gauteng like Soweto.
Causes include cheap materials, no engineering, and weather like heavy rains weakening foundations.
In Snake Park, similar incidents in past years have led to relocations, but slow government action leaves many vulnerable.
The City of Johannesburg has programs for safer housing, but backlogs mean long waits for RDP homes.
This tragedy echoes others, like a 2024 collapse in Johannesburg killing four. Calls grow for stricter building rules and emergency funds for repairs.
Path to Prevention: Calls for Safer Homes in 2026
As the Xabas mourn, advocates push for change. Better inspections, affordable materials, and fast relocations could cut risks.
In 2025, government launched safe building workshops in townships, teaching basics like strong foundations.
For 2026, more funding – R10 billion needed nationwide – is key. Communities can help by reporting unsafe homes. This loss could spark action, honouring the Xabas by saving others.
In a year of new starts, let this tragedy lead to safer homes for all. Support the family through donations, and push leaders for change – together, we can build better.
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