ON Mandela Day, Bakang Mahlangu was presented with a new home.
The 50-year-old resident from Chaneng Village outside Rustenburg, North West, previously lived in a poorly built shack for many years.
He said he was delighted about the new house.
"I am sincerely thankful for what they have done for me. I now have a proper and decent house. Before, it felt like I was living outside. Rainy seasons were my worst nightmare," said Bakang.
He was also presented with blankets, furniture, and groceries.
"I am so overjoyed and grateful. My days of suffering have come to an end," he said.
The house, built through alternative building technology, has two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a sitting room.
This is part of the North West Human Settlements Department's initiative to deal with the backlog of housing and people waiting for homes for a long time.
North West acting Premier Nono Maloyi said people waiting for a house for many years is a thing of the past.
"The waiting process is often too long, but through alternative building technology, we can prioritise homes and eradicate all the mud houses.
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"The beneficiary was identified by the ward councillor as one of the people who needed houses in the area," said the acting premier.
Maloyi urged the beneficiary to take good care of the house and not sell it.
Founder of Ditsogo Group, Tebogo Mosito, said the house was completed within seven days through alternative building technology.
"We started with the foundation, then steal installation, laying concrete, roofing and painting," Tebogo said.
She said the house is strong and cannot quickly develop cracks.
MEC of Agriculture and Rural Development Desbo Mohono handed over the livestock and implements for the food garden to the beneficiary.
"This gesture by the department is to give dignity and to return pride to the people to be able to put bread on the table," said Mohono.
