A total 23 households from various villages at Bushbuckridge will enjoy and early Christmas as they received furniture coordinated by the Mpumalanga Department of Human Settlements and sponsors for their newly built houses. MEC Violet Siwela distributed furniture items ranging from refrigerators, stoves, kitchen units and beds. The households are part of the beneficiaries of the Women in Construction Programme launched last month benefiting women contractors and households throughout the province. The programme is benefiting 30% of the department’s budget.
One beneficiary, 33 year old Ms Thembi Mashego could not contain tears as MEC Siwela delivered her items at Saselani Village. “I would like to thank the government for its love and care for poor people like us, also want to thank ward committee members and councilors for opening doors during rainy seasons and difficult times”.
Mashego who stays in a small mud houses with six school going children survive through monies she receives from the government’s Siyatentela Programme and child support grant. She applied for a house this year and the department intervened through the Emergency Housing Programme given her dire conditions at the current place.
The Women in Construction Programme (WCP) has been allocated more than R300 million to deliver low income houses and other essential services to communities by women contractors. Thirty five (35) women contractors have been appointed by the department to deliver 1130 low income houses to beneficiaries throughout the province this financial year. Handing over the furniture, MEC Siwela commended the families for their patience whilst awaiting houses. “When you voted this government, you were not playing with your votes and today we are delivering”, she indicated.
This WCP is a quest to empower women and honour their contribution in service delivery. Thirty percent of the department’s budget has been dedicated towards this programme. Another beneficiary was 15-year old grade 8 pupil, Lucricia Khoza from Arthurstone who stays with six siblings at their granny’s house. They lost their parents in 2008 and 2010 and now are under the care of a guardian. She and the others survive through government’s support grant. The houses are to be completed by end of 2014/15.
Enquiries:
Freddy Ngobe
Tell: 013 766 6014
Cell: 082 859 4630
E-mail: flngobe@mpg.gov.za or freddyl.ngobe@gmail.com
