Zuko Fundani, 37, of Tshabo Village near Berlin does not want to hear the word lack of service delivery. He says people do not want to see the services that the government is providing even though they are there in front of them. Fundani says for the community of Tshabo Village life has improved a lot since the 2006 Local Government Elections.
"For the better part of my life, I was staying with my family in a rondavel and there was no privacy at all. I had to wash and do everything in the full glare of everyone. But now I have my own house built for me by the government," said Fundani.
He is one of thousands of rural residents who are benefiting from the Eastern Cape government Rural Housing projects. Six of the projects are in the Buffalo City Municipality and include rural locations of Tyutyu, Ndevana and Bulembu. Over 6 000 housing units have been built in these projects benefiting thousands of families.
Fundani said in his rural village most people did not have proper houses. He said most houses were built with mud, adding that when it rained the houses became a risk to families. We have 547 houses completed and people are happily occupying them. The misery of being flocked in 1 rondavel is over now,” said Fundani.
The Tshabo Village project which started in 2008 is now in its second phase and 400 units are being built. Fundani said the houses also come with proper hygienic toilets. "As you can see we also have a community hall here built by the government at a cost of R300 000 and a Sports Ground sponsored by the National Lottery. We have clean running water and on rainy days churches use the hall. Service delivery does happen; people just need to be patient with government.
The rural housing project is also happening in all the district municipalities in the province and government has recently approved a rural housing subsidy voucher," said Government Spokesperson Mzukisi Ndara.
Enquiries:Mzukisi Ndara
Cell: 0833244269
