delivery
6 April 2009
North West MEC for Developmental Local Government and Housing, Howard Yawa
has hailed Masizakhe Womenâs Group as heroines for their contribution towards
eradication of unemployment, poverty and homelessness. MEC Yawa was addressing
the Non Government Organisationsâ (NGO) 10th anniversary celebration function
held at Manzil Park Community Hall last Friday.
âWe salute Masizakhe Womenâs Group as our heroines in the housing sector for
their courage, determination and resilience. You have embraced the spirits of
Vuk'uzenzele and Letsema. You are an embodiment of selflessness and it takes
people of your calibre to build a nation. Working together, we can do more for
our communities.â Yawa said in his keynote address speech.
âWhen we are together we can do wondersâ was the dominant message in songs
that marked festivities to celebrate partnership in housing delivery and the
handover of twenty houses to beneficiaries that brought Jouberton to a
standstill.
âWe were able to top up subsidies that we received from government through
our monthly savings scheme hence today we are counted among proud homeowners
today. Through the peopleâs housing process, I now have my own house which I
have also participated in its construction.â an overjoyed widow, Elizabeth
Mathe (74) a recipient of an 82 square meters house in Jouberton Extension 17
and member of Masizakhe Womenâs Group said.
The non-government organisation was established in 1998 as a stokvel, i.e. a
money saving scheme before venturing into building houses for its members,
using the money from their savings. Founder of the organisation, Ntombekhaya
Ngxingo, said when the group was formed, they would save money throughout the
year to buy groceries and pay their childrenâs school fees, and however, they
later decided to change their living conditions by building houses.
The 560 membersâ strong womenâs group was recipient of the best community
based / NGO award during last yearâs Inaugural Provincial Govan Mbeki Housing
Awards. The provincial department had awarded the NGO subsidies to the value of
R5,8 million for construction of 150 houses through the peopleâs housing
process. The organization has to date completed 60 houses.
The glamorous occasion was graced by among others, the Executive Mayor of
the City of Matlosana, Councillor China Dodovu, local municipal councillor,
government officials, housing developers and sub-contractors.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Departmental spokesperson
Tel: 018 387 3814
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018384 5426
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Developmental Local Government and Housing
6 April 2009
