After 23 years of South Africa as democracy – and five applications for a proper house from government – former ANC cadre Mzwabantu Madyibi had given up on ever owning an RDP home.
Having skipped the country for Tanzania where he received military training in 1987, he thought things would change for the better when he returned home shortly before 1994.
However, more than two decades later, he has found himself without a job or a home to call his own.
But happiness showed on the face of the 54-year-old when he was finally given the keys to a house in Maydene Farm in Mthatha.
For three decades, the area was littered with shacks and mud structures which were demolished by King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) municipal bosses last year to make way for RDP homes.
Madyibi was among 21 military veterans who received fully fur- nished homes in the area from the state.
“I had practically lost hope that I would ever own a house that I could call my own,” said the unemployed veteran.
“ it all came as a shock when I first got news that I would be among the first group of military veterans to receive houses here.”
While Madyibi was among a group of cadres who were part of the 1994 military integration, he later suffered misfortune as he was involved in a couple of car accidents that left him having to walk using a stick. He could not work and was forced to stay with his two unemployed brothers in Mabheleni village near Viedgesville.
He said things had been tough but now he was grateful that his 20-year-old daughter would have a place to call home.
Ingotya Toni, 48, meanwhile had to live at his sister’s house after he found himself without a job.
He is also a former ANC cadre but received his military training in Port St John’s and was also part of the 1994 military integration.
Toni, who has an 18-year-old son, earned about R1200 working for a Mthatha-based security company.
Upon receiving the keys to his new house, he bragged to the Dispatch that he would now try to find a wife to turn the house into a home.
“I don’t even know how to describe the happiness I feel,” he added.
KSD mayor Dumani Zozo said many of the liberation fighters were well over 40 years old when they returned home from exile. He said it had been difficult to secure the land on which their houses now stood due to illegal land invasions.
Human Settlements Deputy Minister Zoe Kota-Fredericks emphasised that the houses were for ANC military veterans, and those from other parties. But everything hinged on them being registered on the database of the national Department of Military Veterans.
“These houses are an asset for them and we hope they will safeguard them for the benefit of their children,” she said.
The 21 houses were among 57 houses being built in KSD for military veterans. Of the total number, 40 were in Maydene Farm, while the rest were being built in rural areas at the request of their soon-to-be owners.
Eastern Cape human settlements MEC Helen Sauls-August said the 57 houses were part of three projects in OR Tambo, Nelson Mandela Metro and Chris Hani districts.
About 5854 houses are set to built for military veterans across the country. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za