The 110-year-old Patensie resident, Poto Dyantyisi, will soon open the door his new home, thanks to a housing project led by the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements, Sarah Baartman District Municipality, and Kouga Municipality.
Poto’s son, Joseph, said his father moved into a shack in 2014, after his sister, Maria, passed away.
Since, they have continued to face various challenges, with his shack being cold in the winter and very hot in summer.
Joseph said these conditions have not been good for his father’s health, and have led to many complications.
He further said that a decade ago he had been informed by the former municipal councillor, Amos Mabhukane, his father, Poto Dyantyisi, had qualified for a house, since he was destitute. Despite this it was only in 2023, when Sarah Baartman District Municipality Executive Mayor, Deon de Vos, intervened, that they began seeing progress.
Finally, at the ripe old age of 110, his son, Joseph, said they have been informed that his father, who has never owned a home of his own, will soon unlock the door to his new home.
He said the house is nearing completion, and that his father is very happy.
“His new home will be a much better place for him to stay in, especially because of his various health complications,” said Joseph.
He further said that he and his wife, Linda, would move in with his father to take care of him, and he would be leaving his shack and furniture behind for his children.
Joseph said they are therefore requesting donations of furniture for his father’s new home.
Kouga Deputy Mayor, Timothy Jantjes, said Dyantyisi belongs to vulnerable and destitute groups within Kouga, and currently resides in a shack in an informal settlement.
He said Dyantyisi has never owned property, and given his advanced age it was crucial to prioritise him as a recipient of a state-funded house.
Jantjes said the housing project is led by the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements, Sarah Baartman District Municipality, and Kouga Municipality.
He said the Human Settlements section at Kouga Municipality was approached by the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements to identify a site in Patensie for the construction of a house for Dyantyisi.
Jantjes said that in collaboration with the Land and Property Section of the municipality, Erf 740 in the Patensie 124 Project was identified.
“Kouga Human Settlements assisted with the housing subsidy application, which was subsequently approved in Mr Dyantyisi’s name. Following the approval, the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements appointed a service provider to construct the house, which is now nearing completion,” said Jantjes.
“Kouga Human Settlements will oversee the transfer of the house under Mr Dyantyisi’s name.”
He said it is anticipated that the formal handover of the house will be before the end of July 2024.
Jantjes further said the municipality has already identified more vulnerable and elderly beneficiaries to assist, and applications will be submitted.
De Vos said, through a public participation process, they identified that the conditions Dyantyisi was living in were not conducive, and that his house was “falling apart”.
He said through the public participation process, and further consultative processes with Kouga Municipality’s Department of Human Settlements, it was then decided that Dyantyisi’s house would become part of a housing project which would enable him to receive a house that was in good condition and suitable for him to live in.
For more information on how to assist Poto, contact Joseph Dyantyisi at 061 087 1493.
