It was tears of joy for residents of the Raymond Mhlaba area in KwaZakhele, Nelson Mandela Bay, when they recently received government subsidised houses from the Provincial Department of Human Settlements.
MEC for Human Settlements in the Eastern Cape, Siphokazi Mani-Lusithi, was accompanied by the MMC for Human Settlements in the metro, Tukela Zumani.
Predominantly elderly women, child-headed families and the disabled formed part of the 35 beneficiaries who received houses.
The residents of Raymond Mhlaba benefited from a government intervention to help change the living conditions of many destitute families, and those living in shacks.
The Raymond Mhlaba 49 Housing Project comprises 49 low-cost housing units targeted at providing decent homes for the community of Raymond Mhlaba in KwaZakhele, at a total cost of R7,2 million.
The project forms part of the municipality’s housing programme and is identified as one of the priority projects in the metro.
Most of the beneficiaries come from different areas, which include Soweto-on-Sea and KwaZakhele’s surrounding areas.
There are already 35 completed houses ready for the handover.
Receiving her new house, 82-year-old Philda Vaaltyn, said that she was grateful to have a house after so many years.
“I would like to thank my neighbours who have always helped out on rainy days when my shack could not provide shelter. I am at a loss for words to express how I feel. I have waited for this day since 1994,” she said.
“Winter seasons will never be the same for me now. I have a house that I can call home.”
The Department of Human Settlements is targeting the construction of 1 411 houses in Nelson Mandela Bay during this current financial year, with a budget of R215 million.
Lusithi said that there is still a lot of work to be done in changing peoples lives.
“This is a special project because it accommodates the vulnerable group, the elderly, children and the physically challenged. The co-operation of both the province and the municipality is yielding positive results,” she said.
Zumani said that the acceleration of housing in Nelson Mandela Bay is a result of good co-operation and working relations of the three spheres of government.
“We as all spheres understand the urgency of the conditions that our people live under. We are equally moving with speed to improve their conditions. We also understand that there is still a lot of work to be done,” he said.
“The project was implemented by contractors led by four women who started work last year in November,” Zumani added.
