Samuel Radebe’s (40), unbearable days of having to endure pains inflicted by rats have finally come to an end. He is one of the 34 RDP houses beneficiaries from Orange Farm who received their houses through a partnership between the Gauteng Department of Local Government and Housing, Habitat for Humanity South Africa and 20 private companies.
Radebe who hails from the Free State came to Gauteng in 1996 searching for greener pastures and settled in Orange Farm after he was allocated a stand. Radebe, the unemployed father of 5 children says that living in a shack is very painful because when it rains the roof leaks and this damages the small furniture they own.
The visible injuries in his toes bears testimony to the ordeal he had to endure in his shack. Local Government and Housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi said this partnership between the public and private sector should be commended. “The private companies came to this community to change the lives of individuals. We acknowledge that we still have a lot to do as government and with the assistance of them (private sector) we are able to do more,” said Mmemezi.
Mmemezi emphasized the importance of looking after the RDP houses. “This is your investment. Let’s take care of these houses so that we can leave homes for our kids and others who come after them. It will sadden me to see people who benefited from this partnership sell their houses and going back to shacks,” said MEC.
He also reiterated the need to plant trees in order to minimize the impact of storms like tornados. He urged the builders to plant at least 3 fruit trees per household. “Trees are very much helpful when there are storms and we need to teach our people the importance of planting trees in their homesteads,” Mmemezi said.
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.
Enquiries:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Cell: 079 897 2240
E-mail: Motsamai.motlhaolwa@gauteng.gov.za
MEC hand over UN habitat for humanity houses
Province
