The Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements closed off the 16 Days of
Activism For No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign by handing over
houses to destitute women in Port St Johns, on Tuesday, 10 December 2024. Among
the beneficiaries is 89-year-old woman from Swazini Village.
“I was homeless before today, I had to move around to find shelter, but today I am
over the moon with excitement, this is a good day. I will have a good sleep in my own
house,” said the 89-year-old Mamnikelwa Dumba. The elderly grandmother from
Swazini village, lived under poor conditions with her 5 children and 5 grandchildren in
a dilapidated mud structure. All family members are unemployed and dependent on
social grant. Dumba is among the 20 beneficiaries whose houses have been
completed and handed over. A total of 195 women, mainly elderly, will benefit from the
project which covers 7 villages in Ward 9.
The Acting Premier, Hon. Nonkqubela Pieters, said at the handover, “This handover
today forms part of the provincial closure of 16 Days of activism campaign and signifies
government’s commitment to protect the elderly, who are the most vulnerable and
have been targeted in the OR Tambo.”
The OR Tambo District Municipality has one of the highest rates of GBV making it a
critical area of focus for interventions and support services. This project is
government’s intervention which aims to protect the most vulnerable in society by
providing safer communities and responding to the housing need for identified families
in the local municipality.
The human settlements project will provide 295 houses in Ward 9, with 20 already
completed. The entire project, Port St Johns 806, is spread over six Wards in the
local municipality.