By working together as community and government we are able to achieve more. This was a message my MEC of Human Settlements Ntombi Mekgwe to the rural community of Ethembalethu eco-village in Muldersdrift, Mogale City.
MEC Mekgwe handed over 120 houses to the community as part of government’s rural housing programme. This community formed the Muldersdrift Home Trust Foundation (MHTF) in 1996 so that it could buy itself land to build their homes.
Mekgwe said that the before 1994 the community would have not been able to organise its self to buy land because it was difficult for black people to acquire land then.
“Land is important to Human Settlements. As you can see we need land to build houses and when you have a house your dignity is restored,” Mekgwe said.
Mekgwe said the community must continue to be disciplined as they have been and protect their homes. “When there is peace and stability it is easy for government to bring services to the area and as a community you will benefit immensely,” she said.
Mekgwe also announced that Mogale City municipality was also going to start constructing roads and install electricity in the next few months. The City has also put aside a budget to build a park for the community. Saturday’s handover of houses also coincided with the sod turning of this new park and the construction of roads.
Thabo Rabapane, secretary for the MHTF said it was hard to hide their excitement as they were celebrating the organisation’s 18th birthday
“We established this organisation after we realised the huge task that our government was faced with of reconstructing and developing the country. We said we cannot wait for the government to come and take us out of backyard rooms and shacks but needed to stand up and do something to help ourselves,” he said
Rabapane said that the organisation tried to buy land three times but the deals were cancelled because local white racist land owners opposed them.
“We did not want to take any chances the fourth time around, we approached government to assist in purchasing the land which was priced at R645 000. Finally the provincial Department of Land Reform transferred money to Mogale City to purchase the land on our behalf,” he said.
Rabapane thanked the government and the ANC for their support when they faced challenges.
One of housing beneficiaries, Elsie Pule, 79, said that she was finally enjoying fruits of democracy. Pule said that she and her family have been staying in farms for the past 38 years and had been evicted whenever the farm was sold.
“I now have a place of my own. No one will evict me here and my family now has a home,” she said.
Mogale City acting Executive Mayor and also MMC of Human Settlements David Letsie said he was happy government could fulfil its promise to the community. “In April 2012 we were here for a sod turning ceremony and some did not have faith in us exactly2 years later we back to deliver on the promise we made,” Letsie said.
Letsie said as more development continues in the area the community must remain united and they will achieve more.
For the Muldersdrift Home Trust Foundation (MHTF) contact Thabo Rabapane at 081 033 0977.
For more information contact:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Cell: 079 897 2240
