Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale says it is sad that a 102 year old woman had to wait this long to own a house.
Accompanied by Ms Winnie Madikizela-Mandela at a handover of 55 houses in Brandfort, Free State built by women as part of the commemoration of the 1956 Woman’s March he said more efforts were needed to ensure that never again a person must live this long without a house.
‘As we gather here to celebrate the completion of these houses we must work hard to ensure that such never happens in our lifetime, the speed at which we build houses will not only ensure we decrease our backlog but also bring back the dignity of our people’ said Sexwale.
The woman’s build is a Letsema project which entails construction of housing units for vulnerable and marginalised women groups.
The project is taking place where Madikizela Mandela was banished by the apartheid government in 1977. Recalling her ban she said it was very emotional for her to come back here although she was happy that development was taking place unlike those years when she lived there.
‘It is very emotional that we are today giving a house to a 102 year old woman; something that would never have happened in those days when I was banished here. I am also very proud of my two sons (Sexwale and Makgashule) for the wonderful work they are doing here,’ she said.
She added that the building of these houses was a strong indication of the work that is being done by the government.
A house, she added was not only a shelter but also restores people’s dignity and urged that more work needed to be done to ensure that South Africa achieve its goal of a shack free society.
For more information contact:
Mandulo Maphumulo
Cell: 079 699 5145
Source: Department of Human Settlements
