The United Nations (UN) has designated the first Monday of October every year as World Habitat Day, to reflect on the state of human settlements and the basic right to adequate shelter for all. The day was declared by the UN in 1985 and is being commemorated in South Africa and throughout the world. This year the Global Celebration will be hosted by the City of Mexico.
In Gauteng, the Alexandra Urban Renewal was awarded the UN Habitat Scroll of Honour Award on Monday, 5 October 2009, in Washington DC (USA), for contributing towards improving human settlements and the quality of urban life.
To mark the commemoration this year, the Gauteng Department of Local Government and Housing is partnering with Habitat for Humanity South Africa and several major corporations, to undertake one of the biggest public private initiatives that will result in volunteers building 34 houses in five days. The housing build is themed “Building Communities Brick by Brick” and will benefit the poor community of Orange Farm. This year also marks the completion of the 500 000th Habitat home worldwide – the main celebration being in Kenya where the 500 000th houses will be built.
Gauteng programme:
Monday 3 October 2011
Opening Ceremony: For the construction of 34 houses in Orange Farm by volunteers (An address by MEC Humphrey Mmemezi)
Time: 8h30 to 11h00
Venue: Stretford Ext 10, Orange Farm
Alexandra Walk-About and Sod Turning: MEC Mmemezi to visit Alex Urban Renewal. He will conduct a walk-about and conduct a Sod Turning for a new clinic to cater for the mentally handicapped.
Time: 13h00 to 15h00
Friday 7 October 2011
- Hand-over Ceremony: (MEC Mmemezi and key stakeholders hand-over the new houses to beneficiaries)
- Brief Media Conference to wrap-up activities for the week including all stakeholders
Time: 14h00
Venue: Stretford Ext 10, Orange Farm
Enquiries:
Victor Moreriane
Cell: 079 529 5836
Mary Martins-Van Zyl
Cell: 079 873 5022
Adrienne Burke
Cell: 079 155 8404
