ONE of the province’s oldest residents, the 115-year-old Jan Steenberg, recently received a brand new temporary home as part of the municipality’s plans to protect the elderly from Covid-19.
Oom Jan, as he is affectionately known, was moved from a dilapidated shack dwelling that he shared with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Colchester, to a large temporary structure.
As a result of his age, Oom Jan, who was born on 31 December 1904, is wheelchair-bound and suffers from various chronic illnesses. He therefore needs as much comfort and space as possible.
“I would like to thank government for this spacious house. I am now going to stay alone and enjoy all my space because I’m sure now that I will be safe from this virus.
“I will also wait for a new house without worrying that a wall might collapse on me at any time,” Steenberg said.
This Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has been moving residents from densely populated shack areas and debilitated houses to temporary housing structures on serviced sites to protect them against the likelihood of contracting the Covid-19 virus. The programme is specifically focused on the elderly and physically challenged across the City.
Municipal spokesperson, Mthubanzi Mniki, said that a number of vulnerable residents who meet the criteria have already been moved from different areas in the metro to KwaZakhele and Motherwell NU 29.
Speaking at the handover of the temporary house, MMC for Human Settlements, Andile Mfunda, said that more people would be relocated. He stated that his department had acquired more temporary structures, assisted by both Provincial and National Human Settlements Departments.
“We are working against time to move our vulnerable people from the risk of infection of Covid-19. We are happy that all spheres of government within Human Settlements are working together and are committed to this programme,” Mfunda said.
Eastern Cape MEC for Human Settlements, Nokqubela Peters, said that the department was committed to improve the situation of the people of Colchester. “I have come here to witness the situation of Mr Steenberg and of Colchester at first hand. We have agreed with MMC Mfunda that they need to speed up the planning and installation of services in those areas that do not have them so that as a department, we can move swiftly, Peters added.
“I must say that it gives me comfort to know that one of the oldest people in the province is now living in a better place while waiting for the rebuilding of his house.”
