Eastern Cape MEC for Public Works, Infrastructure and Human Settlements Hon.
Siphokazi Lusithi, today Monday, 09 December 2024, handed over 200 houses across
villages in Buffalo City Metro as part of government’s drive to uplift destitute families.
These include an 81-year-old grandfather, Zamiqhinga Magabane who lives with a
disability in Kwalini.
“Today we are handing over 200 houses in the villages of Kwalini (60) and Tsholomnqa
(140) as part of government intervention ensuring that we build safer communities,
primarily that beneficiaries are women, people living with disabilities and child headed
households,” said MEC Lusithi.
Magabane received an enhanced house that is more conducive to his condition. He is
wheelchair bound and was living in a dilapidated mud structure with his unemployed
28-year-old grandson. “I am so grateful for this house, my heart is full because my life
was hard before today, the old house was so bad especially during rainy days, I want
to thank everyone for this house,” said Magabane.
He forms part of the 60 beneficiaries in Ward 39 who benefitted from the Department’s
housing project for destitute families which covers 4 villages, including Kwalini.
The 140 destitute families in Tsholomnqa benefited from the Ngqinisa Destitute Project
which is an intervention by the EC Department of Human Settlements after it was
declared an anti-poverty site. The scope of the project includes the construction of 200
houses meant for the poor.
“It is very important for us that we do this as we are approaching the closure of 16
Days of Activism because this is not just about handing over a house, but it is about
ensuring we build safer communities through one household at a time, said MEC
Lusithi.
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT
043 7119736 PhiwokuhleS@ecdhs.gov.za
The handover forms part of the Department of Human Settlements Programme to
protect the most vulnerable in society, including women, the disabled and elderly,
during the 16 Days of Activism of no Violence Against Women and Children
Campaign.