26 February 2007
"Actions speak louder than words" these were the words the MEC of Local
Government and Housing, Qubudile Richard Dyantyi chose to use, when he
addressed thousands of Mfuleni residents during the handover of new houses that
took place on 21 February 2007 at Mfuleni.
The official programme for the day, started at Mfuleni High School, which is
located near the site where the handover was going to take place. According to
Dyantyi this was an intervention to the projects that were blocked last year;
he promised the beneficiaries that he would fix the bottlenecks. "We need to
make sure that we leave footprints wherever we go," said Dyantyi. Vuyani Qali
Entertainment and two school choirs kept crowds on their knees. Dyantyi told
the crowds that during the provincial opening, the Premier promised to allocate
more money to the department to speed up the process of building low cost
housing. According to him the department will be getting this lion's share
because of its good performance.
Hayi abambonanga meaning (they did not see him) was the song the women in
traditional African robes sang on their way to the site. On the day, six
beneficiaries were handed keys for their new houses. Among the beneficiaries
was a disabled Zukiswa Yawa who lives with her three children. "I feel as if I
am on top of the world as I have been waiting for a day like this for more than
15 years," said Yawa. According to her she will be safe from winter rainfall
and she is even more delighted because the house is equipped with electricity
and there is warm water.
Mr Fundile Mxakatho, the Councillor for Ward 18 said his stress has been
relieved with this handover. "I have been on boiling water since I assumed this
position as people couldn't believe when I said a day like this will come,"
said Mxakatho. He said the handover was another way that the Department of
Local Government and Housing was showing its commitment to promises made.
This was a well done job by Niall Mellon Township Trust (NMTT) which
consisted consists of Irish volunteers and South Africans. This Irish/South
African charity entered a partnership with two People's Housing Process
Committees (PHPC) namely, Mfuleni Twins and Chicago Bulls. The charity also
forms partnerships with communities in which it works and other developmental
organisations such as the Development Action Group (DAG). According to Ms
Deidre Grant, co-ordinator of NMTT, 2 000 more houses are to be built across
the Western Cape.
Issued by: Department of Local Government and Housing, Western Cape
Provincial Government
26 February 2007
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government (http://www.capegateway.gov.za/)
