SIXTY-year-old Miriam Toto could not hold back her tears yesterday when she received the keys to her first house.
Toto was one of many Second Creek residents who received houses from Buffalo City Metro.
“I had been living here at Second Creek since 1998 and yesterday I was told that I would be one of the recipients to receive the first batch of houses,” she said.
“I would like to thank the municipality and our councillor. I will never forget what they have done for me,” Toto said through her tears.
Another recipient, Njokwana Mahluli, said he could only sing God’s praises.
“I thank God for softening the hearts of all the officials that were involved in ensuring we receive houses today. The others who are not getting their houses today must wait on God and soon they will be moving into their homes,” he said.
Mahluli said he as his deaf wife had been suffering for many years.
“We have been through a lot. It is a long story that I do not wish to get into now. I have been living here since 1996 ebugxwayibeni (in squalor),” he said.
Mahluli and Toto were just two of the 96 excited Second Creek residents who received houses yesterday. Less than five years ago the area was used as a dumping site.
BCM’s acting chief operating officer, Thabo Matiwane, said a total of 247 beneficiaries had been approved to get houses.
He said 140 houses were “practically complete” and that 101 were connected to water and sanitation services. Almost 100 houses were ready for immediate occupation.
“At the moment, 96 houses are ready to be occupied by residents.
“In 2011 the unpleasant conditions that the community of Second Creek were living in was televised through the programme Cutting Edge which touched many people in South Africa. Now this project has brought about better lives for our people,” he said.
The two bedroom homes feature roof tiles, are plastered and painted inside and out. The bedrooms have ceilings and there’s a bathroom, kitchen and lounge area.
Delivering the keynote address, MEC for local government Mlibo Qoboshiyane urged residents to use the houses themselves.
“Please do not sell your houses or rent them out. The government gave them to you with love. They are for you and your children. This is a restoration of our people’s dignity,” Qoboshiyane said. — siyab@dispatch.co.za
Squalor to homes for waste dump families
Toto was one of many Second Creek residents who received houses from Buffalo City Metro.
“I had been living here at Second Creek since 1998 and yesterday I was told that I would be one of the recipients to receive the first batch of houses,” she said.
“I would like to thank the municipality and our councillor. I will never forget what they have done for me,” Toto said through her tears.
Another recipient, Njokwana Mahluli, said he could only sing God’s praises.
“I thank God for softening the hearts of all the officials that were involved in ensuring we receive houses today. The others who are not getting their houses today must wait on God and soon they will be moving into their homes,” he said.
Mahluli said he as his deaf wife had been suffering for many years.
“We have been through a lot. It is a long story that I do not wish to get into now. I have been living here since 1996 ebugxwayibeni (in squalor),” he said.
Mahluli and Toto were just two of the 96 excited Second Creek residents who received houses yesterday. Less than five years ago the area was used as a dumping site.
BCM’s acting chief operating officer, Thabo Matiwane, said a total of 247 beneficiaries had been approved to get houses.
He said 140 houses were “practically complete” and that 101 were connected to water and sanitation services. Almost 100 houses were ready for immediate occupation.
“At the moment, 96 houses are ready to be occupied by residents.
“In 2011 the unpleasant conditions that the community of Second Creek were living in was televised through the programme Cutting Edge which touched many people in South Africa. Now this project has brought about better lives for our people,” he said.
The two bedroom homes feature roof tiles, are plastered and painted inside and out. The bedrooms have ceilings and there’s a bathroom, kitchen and lounge area.
Delivering the keynote address, MEC for local government Mlibo Qoboshiyane urged residents to use the houses themselves.
“Please do not sell your houses or rent them out. The government gave them to you with love. They are for you and your children. This is a restoration of our people’s dignity,” Qoboshiyane said. — siyab@dispatch.co.za
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