Fifty disadvantaged, elderly or disabled shack residents will in three months time receive RDP houses built by local youths.
This is courtesy of a youth development programme which will see 50 young people from Mdantsane’s NU9 trained as builders.
The programme, a joint initiative by Buffalo City Metro and the EC department of human settlements, targeted unemployed youths from Manyano informal settlement and surrounds.
Through the programme, the youth are to receive three months’ on-site building training and are to be provided with mentors to assist them every step of the way.
After completing the on-site training, trainees will move on to the youth brigade, which entails 12 months of theory before receiving competency certificates which will allow them to pursue a qualification through an FET college to become artisans.
Speaking at the official launch held in Mdantsane yesterday, human settlements MEC Helen Sauls-August said the programme was inspired by the shortage of builders in South Africa.
“That is part of the reason we have a backlog when it comes to housing in the country,” she said.
“Our targets for this programme were unemployed youths, but we also wanted people with a passion for construction because this is hard work and they need to be hungry for it in order to succeed.
“We also called on women and the disabled to come on board because there is room for them.”
According to Sauls-August, while the training is on a voluntary basis, trainees receive a full uniform as well as a midday meal.
BCM mayor Alfred Mtsi said the city was excited by the programme.
The trainees said they were ecstatic at the prospect.
Odwa Nkwatheni said because he had only gone as far as Grade 11 he had been facing a bleak future.
“I once worked as a labourer on a construction site and I was doing basic things like mixing cement.
“Now I’m being trained on how to build a house which is a skill I can use for the rest of my life. I will finally be able to support myself.”
Thulile Makahlana said she was happy to be involved in something that would one day benefit the community.
“What makes it even more special is this is the community I grew up in,” she said. — zisandan@dispatch.co.za
50 unemployed youths to be trained as builders
This is courtesy of a youth development programme which will see 50 young people from Mdantsane’s NU9 trained as builders.
The programme, a joint initiative by Buffalo City Metro and the EC department of human settlements, targeted unemployed youths from Manyano informal settlement and surrounds.
Through the programme, the youth are to receive three months’ on-site building training and are to be provided with mentors to assist them every step of the way.
After completing the on-site training, trainees will move on to the youth brigade, which entails 12 months of theory before receiving competency certificates which will allow them to pursue a qualification through an FET college to become artisans.
Speaking at the official launch held in Mdantsane yesterday, human settlements MEC Helen Sauls-August said the programme was inspired by the shortage of builders in South Africa.
“That is part of the reason we have a backlog when it comes to housing in the country,” she said.
“Our targets for this programme were unemployed youths, but we also wanted people with a passion for construction because this is hard work and they need to be hungry for it in order to succeed.
“We also called on women and the disabled to come on board because there is room for them.”
According to Sauls-August, while the training is on a voluntary basis, trainees receive a full uniform as well as a midday meal.
BCM mayor Alfred Mtsi said the city was excited by the programme.
The trainees said they were ecstatic at the prospect.
Odwa Nkwatheni said because he had only gone as far as Grade 11 he had been facing a bleak future.
“I once worked as a labourer on a construction site and I was doing basic things like mixing cement.
“Now I’m being trained on how to build a house which is a skill I can use for the rest of my life. I will finally be able to support myself.”
Thulile Makahlana said she was happy to be involved in something that would one day benefit the community.
“What makes it even more special is this is the community I grew up in,” she said. — zisandan@dispatch.co.za
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