All joy for 109 beneficiaries of the Breaking New Ground housing project in Mitchells Plain as they’ll become first-time homeowners today.
They are expected to receive their keys from Premier Alan Winde and Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers during an official handover of the phase 1 part of the project.
According to reports, the 50/50 split is applied, dividing available units among residents of New Woodlands and the Kosovo Informal Settlement.
Phase 1 prioritises senior citizens, with the eldest being an 86-year-old from Kosovo and a 76-year-old from Woodlands.
They started moving into their new units on November 8 – awaiting the official ceremony.
This is part of the R299 million Farm 694 Integrated Human Settlement project that started in September 2019 and was significantly delayed by the outbreak of Covid-19.
The handover is a fulfilment of a promise made by the officials on Mandela Day this year to have some of the beneficiaries moving in by the end of this year.
In a statement, ahead of the handover, Premier Alan Winde, said they're restoring dignity to communities.
“It is not only about giving residents a place to call their own, but also about helping them feel safe and creating an inclusive community which takes pride in its homes,” he said
New Woodlands Community leader, Shafief Chowglay, said they are overjoyed to finally have people moving into the houses.
“The smiles, tears of joy and words of appreciation are priceless.
“You can see how big this is for all of them.
“It’s something we've all been looking forward to.
“Our seniors are having an early Christmas gift and tomorrow will be a real blessed day to our community,” said Chowglay.
And Khaya Ncapai, from Kosovo informal settlement added that: “It’s a dream come through, we are really grateful to the government for serving people's needs.
“The long wait has finally paid off and we hope this is just a beginning of all the good things that are to come to our people.”
Minister Simmers said: “These two communities who have previously been separated by the highway, who have a lot in common yet are very different, will now form a brand-new community as one.
“This project is an exemplar of what is possible when all stakeholders come together and seek solutions to create a better and united society for all.”