The launch of a housing development project that is over R51,6 million should restore dignity to the marginalised rural poor and give practical expression to the clause in the Freedom Charter that declared: “There shall be houses, security and comfort.” North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, Desbo Mohono made the assertion at the Skielik/Mazista informal settlement outside Swartuggens last Friday.
MEC Mohono who officiated at the launch together with Kgetleng Rivier Mayor, Councillor Kim Medupe told the former farmworkers most of whom were evicted from farms around the Koster/Swartruggens farming communities that though they had endured many decades of cold winter nights, warmth and hope for a better life are no longer a mirage.
The project for the construction of 500 houses in the area was delayed by an interdict from some local farmers opposed to the project. The protracted court battle ended recently when the court ruled in favour of the provincial government for the construction to commence.
In paying tribute to the mother of the nation, the late Mama Albertina Sisulu at the occasion, MEC Mohono said that she had taught the people of South Africa and the world to hate injustice with passion but to love their enemies, to put behind memories of racial hatred and prejudice and embrace reconciliation and nation building.
“In her humility but assertiveness, she taught us to respect all of humanity and to carry ourselves with dignity but not with arrogance and pride. She was an embodiment of love, resilience and an undying spirit that defied colonialism, exploitation, racial oppression and segregation,” Mohono said.
The MEC called on the beneficiaries to treasure and view their houses as homes, and take good care of them. She however did not mince words when she informed them that the department and the municipality will not accept the building of shacks next to the houses. She appealed to them not to turn their houses into tuck shops or rent them for business purposes as her department will not hesitate to evict them and reallocate the housing subsidy to those in need of housing.
Mohono further called on stakeholders and other government departments to come on board in creating sustainable human settlements for the people of Mazista. She challenged on contractors on site to build an early learning centre for the children of Mazista as a plough back to the community.
She urged youth in farming communities to avoid unhealthy lifestyles and for them not succumb to peer pressure to waste their lives to drugs and alcohol and for them to respect their parents.
An overjoyed Boitumelo Senatle, a mother of two and one of the beneficiaries said that she can’t wait to move into her new house. The unemployed Senatle said that she stayed in a shack for a better part of her life and having shelter with basic amenities is a dream come true. She hopes to find a job through opportunities created by government. She survives through social grants for her two children.
Sinah Ngakane shares the same sentiments. Ngakane is lucky to be one of the locals employed in the project and also as a beneficiary. She said that she observed and assisted in the building of her house. She said her three children will have a home as compared to the shack they have been living in.
Meanwhile Cosatu Provincial Secretary, Solly Phetoe, called on the local municipality to rename the new housing settlements as the name Skierlek is reminiscent of racial oppression, exploitation and the killing of innocent community members by John Nel. He however thanked the contractor for employing the locals and further empowering them with skills.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 391 0420
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
