“THIS is the best Christmas present ever, after all these years I will spend this year’s Christmas in a place I can really call home”.
These were the words of 72-year-old Edward Blaauw when he received keys to his new house from the Eastern Cape Human Settlements MEC Siphokazi Lusithi earlier this month.
MEC Lusithi officially handed over 83 completed houses to beneficiaries in Jachtvlakte.
The project is one of the catalytic projects in Nelson Mandela Bay to push back the 80,000 housing backlog that exists in Nelson Mandela Bay.
This is the first phase of the Jachtvlakte catalytic project, this phase comprises 83 low-cost housing units aimed at providing decent houses for the community from Qunu and Vastrap informal settlements.
“I cannot even express how I feel in words. All these years I have lived in a shack that was negatively affecting my health at the age that I am. Now I am in a safe place and will enjoy my golden years. I pray to God that He bless me with more years so that I enjoy my house,” Blaauw said.
The scope of work for the project entails the construction of 327 houses, with 83 houses for Phase 1 already completed and all 327 sites serviced.
This project is funded by the provincial Department of Human Settlements and implemented by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
MEC Lusithi said Nelson Mandela Bay was one of the areas that the department was giving a special focus.
“We are working around the clock to make sure that by the close of the construction year 2023, a contractor for Phase 2 has already established a site here for the commencement of work. The backlog we have in Nelson Mandela Bay demands that we work with speed to deliver and improve the conditions of our people,” said MEC Lusithi.
The handover forms part of the Human Settlements Month Programme in which human settlement programs and activities are elevated and intensified during the month of October.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor Gary van Niekerk welcomed the delivery of the 80 houses to beneficiaries as a major historic moment for the people of Qunu and Vastrap informal settlements.
“The delivery of this project clearly indicates to us that when spheres of government collaborate and work together, a lot can be achieved. We would also like to thank the province for continuously availing the budget for us to build houses for our residents. There is still a lot of work to be done, but we appreciate the progress that has been made,” said Executive Mayor Van Niekerk.
The Executive Mayor reiterated that the metro was working towards integrating all its work to be in sync with the planning and budgeting of other spheres of government as per the District Development Model.
“Through the DDM we will be moving a bit faster, smarter, and more cost-effective while delivering quality services for our people,” added the Executive Mayor.
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