Pretoria - A R3.5 million housing project launched last week in Tshwane’s Region 7 will go a long way in restoring the dignity of 20 people identified as beneficiaries of the low-cost houses in Ekangala and Dark City near Bronkhorstspruit.
This was the sentiment echoed by the City of Tshwane’s MMC for Housing and Human Settlements, Kgosietsile Kgosiemang, who told Pretoria News that the building of houses was all thanks to HCI Palesa Mine, which will carry all the costs.
“I would like to extend a message of gratitude to company CEO Pieter Terblanche. I am grateful for the work the mine is doing, and we know it does go with certain time-frames. I am really humbled to be working with them.”
Kgosiemang said he was particularly happy that the calibre of the people identified as beneficiaries were “the people who really deserve it”.
“One of the beneficiaries is a gogo who was not hoping to have a house in her lifetime.”
Beneficiaries were selected from vulnerable community members ranging from indigents, child-headed families, and people living with disabilities.
Both the City and HCI Palesa Mine entered into a memorandum of understanding to build 20 houses for indigent households in Region 7. The City will provide serviced stands and ensure installation of sewer, water, reticulation and electricity infrastructure.
“Obviously, the housing project is about ensuring the security of tenure to people who didn’t believe that in their lives they would have houses,” he said.
The houses will go to selected beneficiaries that are in need of assistance.
The sod-turning ceremony on Thursday, attended by mayor Randall Williams, marked the start of construction.
Kgosiemang said it was envisaged that “if everything goes well it will take up to seven months to complete the construction work”.
Pretoria News