HOUSING PROGRAMME FOR CHDM BENEFICIARIES IN HONOUR OF MADIBA
The Chris Hani District Municipality honoured tata Madiba by commemorating the Nelson Mandela Day through a handing-over of houses recently constructed for the destitute. Both political and administrative were deployed throughout all the district local municipalities to dedicate the 67 minutes towards changing others’ lives.
Houses were handed officially to qualifying beneficiaries across the district where house contents including groceries were also handed over to these families. One of the beneficiaries Ms Nompucuko Njotini whose mud house had been burnt to ashes at Forty Village in Tsomo, could not contain her delight and shed tears of joy when the Executive Mayor Kholiswa Vimbayo handed over her keys in full view of neighbours and some community members.
The Executive Mayor said “Chris Hani District Municipality’s core function is the provision of water and sanitation services amongst others but as an entity of government, we have a key role to play in alleviating poverty as much as we can. As a responsive government we had to heed a call following reported cases of worst case poverty scenarios in our area of jurisdiction. Our intervention in this regard was the construction of houses for through our destitute programme focusing on child-headed households, HIV/AIDS victims, people living with disabilities and the aged who live in dilapidated structures. The Council committed to this cause hence today we are making our contribution on tata Madiba’s name by making a difference where we can.
Further to this, the leadership headed to Ilinge for a sod-turning ceremony in Ilinge Township where a contractor and CHDM service provider Mfura projects has committed to build a house for a man who lived in a dilapidated house. The Executive Mayor paid tribute to tata Mandela and said “building a house for the disadvantaged is the most fitting way to commemorate tata Madiba. It was under his tutelage that the ANC-led government decided to introduce the Reconstruction and Development Programme where the poor and disadvantaged citizens were built houses by government. “ We believe that living in a decent and safe home is the first step to alleviating poverty. We knew about the plight of this family when we read about him and his dire living conditions through the The Rep newspaper and as a responsive and caring government we had to intervene and this was done by approaching out service providers. We urge all ordinary citizens and private sector to play their role in building a better society. No contribution is too small to make a difference”
Deployed teams as led by councilors visited Beyele AA in Engcobo, Forty Village in Tsomo, Enyanisweni, Qamata Location, Greenfields in Tarkastad, Old Location in Elliot and Greyspan where beds, bedding, couches, curtains, groceries, stoves and pillows were given to the identified families. The Fountain of Hope Centre in Cofimvaba were also not left out and received heartwarming goodies through the help of good Samaritans and these included a refrigerator, microwave oven and groceries. This year’s Mandela Day was made possible through the partnership of various sponsors who willingly made a contribution to help those in need. The support of our financial institutions : Standard Bank of South Africa, and ABSA Bank is truly appreciated. We also extend words of gratitude to Qhumanco Trading, Coalition Consortium, Mfura Construction and all our future sponsors as we continue to make everyday a Mandela Day.