15 April 2009
Gauteng elderly citizens became the first time home owners yesterday when
Gauteng Department of Housing MEC Nomvula Mokonyane and Ekurhuleni Executive
Mayor Ntombi Mekgwe handed over houses to more than 10 pensioners in Esselen
Park. This initiative is part of government aimed at accelerating service
delivery and providing proper houses as well as restoring the dignity of the
senior people in the province.
During her address to more than 1 000 residents, MEC for Housing Nomvula
Mokonyane said âtoday is a very important day in our province as weâre handing
over houses to the respected senior citizens. With these houses the government
symbolises that we care and respect our people. Government has considered and
acknowledges the elderly as precious and important people in the province. The
government is ensuring that we do everything to protect you. We encourage all
the citizens to work with us together to ensure that this country become a
better country for all of us,â she added.
87 year old Matlatlabela Maoka, who moved in Johannesburg in 1948, was one
of the beneficiaries who became a house owner. She said âI am very happy to
have my own home, as from today my grandchildren will be able to come and visit
during their school holidays.â
Since her family moved to Johannesburg they never owned a house, they have
been renting a room in Tembisa. In 1994 she was retrenched, then moved in to
her sonâs houses were she was sharing with her son and his family.
Esselen Park project was given to the group of five contractors to build
more than 295 houses. This initiative is part of government strategy of
eradicating informal settlement in Ekurhuleni. An additional 1400 double storey
unitâs construction is underway, and it will accommodate residents of Winnie
Mandela informal settlement.
Issued by: Department of Housing, Gauteng Provincial Government
15 April 2009
Source: Department of Housing, Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.housing.gpg.gov.za)
