Hostel residents in Lwandle are relieved after their homes were upgraded by the City’s Department of Human Settlements.
The project, which began in November 2023, is expected to be completed by Friday 24 April. It involves upgrading a total of 43 rental units.
One beneficiary, Sindiswa Mpulampula, said she was thrilled with the new look of her home.
Residents welcome safer and warmer homes
“They replaced the asbestos roof with IBR zinc sheets and installed a new ceiling. It is now neat and warm. I no longer stress when it rains because the roof is solid.”
The mother of three said she had taken over her house from her parents and lived there for more than 30 years.
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“When I arrived here, I was still young. I was a student in 1992. I grew up in this house. Both my parents died and left it to me.”
Beneficiaries praise City’s housing intervention
Another beneficiary, Nosisi Mtambeka, praised the ward councillor for the initiative. She said she had been worried her house may not be renovated.
“This is the first time we have a councillor who works for everyone. In the past leaders were selective. If they didn’t know you or your family, they wouldn’t assist you. I am proud of my house now which used to leak whenever it rained.”
Ward 86 councillor Xolani Diniso said Block Six was the last of the 43 units identified for renovation. He emphasised that the project was spearheaded by the national Department of Human Settlements and implemented by the City department of the same name.
“We are replacing all asbestos roofs in the hostels. We are also installing new ceilings because we cannot replace the roof and leave the ceiling unchanged.”
Health concerns addressed through asbestos removal
He added that an investigation by the national department found many residents were suffering from tuberculosis due to exposure to asbestos materials.
The aim of the project was to restore the dignity of residents by improving their living conditions, Diniso said.
He noted the hostels had been built in the apartheid era and were more than 50 years old.
