MADALA Jack Magula (64) and Gogo Veronica Nkosi (62) are very happy people.
This after they both received RDP houses on Friday, 5 August. The RDP houses were handed over by human settlements MEC Speedy Mashilo, who was accompanied by the Steve Tshwete mayor, Mhlonishwa Masilela.
The elders are among 200 families in Kwazamokuhle near Middelburg, Mpumalanga, who received fully furnished houses.
Madala Jack told Daily Sun his family struggled in a two-roomed shack.
“I have been waiting for a house for over 15 years. When officials told me I was going to get a house, I didn’t believe my ears. Life is better now,” he said.
Gogo Veronica said her dilapidated shack almost fell on her family.
“The shack nearly crashed on us because the poles were eaten by termites. I am very happy that we are now safe and we sleep peacefully. I am going to enjoy Women’s Month,” she said.
Masilela said the department is doing a great job to address the housing backlog in the municipality.
“The building of these houses will help decrease the mushrooming of informal settlements. I ask all the beneficiaries not to sell or rent out the houses,” he said.
Mashilo said beneficiaries must monitor the construction of their houses to avoid illegal occupation. “We are working with our municipalities to make sure our people receive the best service possible despite the few challenges that we are faced with.”
He said the department’s allocation of houses favoured senior citizens, people living with disabilities, orphans and child-headed families.
