delivery
14 November 2006
The Gauteng Housing MEC, Nomvula Mokonyane, today launched the Community
Builders Project at Winnie Mandela informal settlement in Ekurhuleni. The
project will see 8 460 existing stands being provided with top structures and
other basic services.
The Community Builders' Programme is government's strategy aimed at
accelerating the delivery of houses by engaging members of the community in the
construction of their own houses. This will help to address the housing backlog
and also to deal with the mushrooming of shacks.
The MEC says erection of shacks where there are top structures is a serious
problem that impacts negatively on the value of the low cost houses. "We need
to deal with this problem together with the municipalities before it is too
late," said Mokonyane. Strict by laws will be enforced so that the province can
win the battle against the illegal erection of shacks.
According to the informal settlement survey conducted by the department in
1996, it was found that there was an overflow of 3 188 families within the
Winnie Mandela area.
In an effort to deal with the problem of overflow, 1 015 beneficiaries have
been moved into stands with top structures in Esselen Park Extension one and
two.
"We would like people to pride themselves with the building of their own
houses because the product that comes out from this project is always of good
quality," said Mokonyane.
The MEC also said one of the challenges facing the department is to be able
to find suitable land to relocate communities.
"We also have a serious problem with the availability of land. I really want
to commend all the people who allow the construction work to take place while
they are moved to a temporary stand. This will help us to build enough houses
because there will be more habitable land for the construction of houses," said
the MEC.
Enquiries:
Victor Moreriane
Cell: 082 561 3768
Mandla Sidu
Cell: 083 602 6169
Issued by: Department of Housing, Gauteng Provincial Government
14 November 2006
