Human Settlements Minster Tokyo Sexwale accompanied by the North West Premier Maurine Modiselle and the provincial MEC for Human Settlements, Desbo Mohono handed over a house to a 109 years old woman in Coligny in the Ditsobotla Municipality. The house is part of the 54 houses constructed as part of the National Women’s Build Programme which seeks to honour the 1956 march by women to the Union Building in protest against the pass laws.
109 years old Mmami Motlhokwa has never owned a proper house since she was born and has been staying with her children and great grand children in a two roomed house. She said the secret behind her age is prayer, respect and eating healthy. Sexwale appealed to beneficiaries to stop building shacks next to the houses. “We would like to turn this small area into a proper human settlement where people would live, learn leisure and pray,” said Sexwale.
Minister Sexwale delivered a strong warning to contractors who continue to build shoddy houses for the poor and engage in corrupt practices, “We will chase you; we will find you we will arrest you and lock you up. You will pay back the money that belongs to our people”. According to the minister, about 2 000 contractors have already been arrested country- wide and their bank accounts have already been frozen to allow government to recover its money.
As far as the North West is concerned, MEC Mohono said that an audit is currently underway to determine the number of houses that were not properly constructed and which need to be rectified. She said that as soon as the process has been completed, she would be able to give a proper report to the special investigating unit to enforce the law against those contractors.
The minister called on the youth to play their part in ensuring the creation of proper human settlements. “I want to urge the president of the ANC youth league to guide the young people in this endeavour. They have more energy to carry out this mandate. Meanwhile the Premier of the North West Maureen Modiselle praised about 100 women who volunteered in the construction of the 54 houses that were handed over today.
Minister Sexwale also announced that his department and the farmers will be having a conference in September this year to address the problem of farm evictions which is said to contribute to the mushrooming of informal settlements.
The Department of Human Settlements is using National Women’s Build Programme to work with other sectors of society to reduce housing backlogs in the province and thus enhancing access to decent housing for vulnerable families in the country. About 1956 houses will be completed across the province in honour of the historic 1956 march by women.
Enquiries:
Cornelius Tanana Monama
Cell: 082 578 4063
Tel: 018 391 0420/21
