DURBAN - PUBLIC Works and Infrastructure MEC Jomo Sibiya on Tuesday welcomed 73-year-old Lephina Msweli to her new house in KwaMaphumulo.
Msweli had been living with her three unemployed grandchildren – Zandile, 30, Lungani, 27, and 19-year-old Khulekani Msweli – as well as great-grandchild four-month-old Melizwe Msweli, in a rondavel and a non-conducive flat.
“I am over the moon. The house was really unexpected and I am grateful to the government. My old house was crowded and we shared the same living space regardless of gender. We did not get the privacy we needed.
“Not only did I get a new house, I was also given food, new furniture including a bed, couches, a table and chairs. What more could I ask for?”
Lephina’s grandchild Lungani was in awe. “I cannot believe that we actually have a better house and home. When my grandmother applied in April last year, we were just taking a chance and we did not have much faith.”
Lephina is one of many who has benefited from the Maqumbi Rural Housing Project with a budget of R44.3 million for the construction of 1 500 houses for the upliftment of rural areas.
“By handing over the house to Gogo Msweli we want to show our appreciation as the government to senior citizens for the role they played in building a prosperous province during the dark days of apartheid. They looked after children and many leaders who were in various positions of authority,” said Sibiya.
The MEC also wanted to prove to people in the province that the government remained committed to uplifting communities in rural areas.
“We share the belief that rural development will help to ensure that people could live with their families, work, access decent education and have access to quality health care.
“We understand that rural development will also help solve migration to big cities where there is competition for land and accommodation.”
A number of young people were part of the housing project, including 16 women of the 30 employed, who were also from the community.
“Skills development of young people is fundamental to the growth trajectory that we have set ourselves as the province. Through our Expanded Public Works Programme, we want young people to take charge of the infrastructure revolution,” said the MEC.
The pupils had their official graduation ceremony on Tuesday and had undergone training in carpentry, intensive bricklaying, plastering and roofing.
“I am happy with the progress of Maqumbi Rural Housing Project despite challenges created by the outbreak of Covid-19. I have been informed that this resulted in a shortage of building materials from the suppliers.”
Sibiya also provided an update on the project’s progress. He said they had planned to have 300 foundations and 147 have been constructed; out of 300 wall plates, 127 were constructed; there are currently 79 rooftops out of the 300 planned and with a target of 300 units, 62 had been completed.
Daily News