By Samona Naidu
Ottawa - Four hundred and eighty two beneficiaries are now proud home owners, thanks to the new R25-billion Cornubia Integrated Human Settlements Development Project, situated in Ottawa, north of Durban.
The Cornubia Project launched by President Jacob Zuma on Sunday, forms part of government's initiative to integrate society, by delivering decent housing and improving the lives of all South Africans.
South Africa indeed has a good story to tell, says President Zuma. “Today’s launch of the Cornubia housing project coincides with South Africa celebrating 20 Years of Freedom, this Freedom Month.”
Over the past 20 years, government, through the Department of Human Settlements has provided homes for 12 million South African families.
Cornubia, says President Zuma, is a result of the successful public-private partnership between the National and Provincial Department of Human Settlements, the eThekwini municipality and Tongaat Hulett Development.
Once completed, the project will boast 28 000 mixed income housing units, light industrial factories, retail parks, clinics, two primary and one high school, businesses and recreational parks. “A total of 15 000 of the homes, will be subsidised or low income houses,” said President Zuma. Mobile clinics are also providing residents with health services in the interim.
The new integrated housing project, says President Zuma, will cost government R25 billion over a period of 25 years. It demonstrates government's commitment to providing houses for South African citizens, regardless of race. “I am hopeful that with integrated human settlement projects, like Cornubia, we will be able to effectively eradicate a significant number of the informal settlements across various areas in eThekwini and across South Africa.”
The development is expected to create 48 000 new sustainable job opportunities over a period of 15 years, and a further 15 000 during the construction phase.
President Zuma also highlighted that residents of Cornubia will also be linked to the new state-of-the-art Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system. The BRT routes will link Cornubia to surrounding areas like Umhlanga, Phoenix, the Dube Trade Port and the King Shaka International Airport nearby.
The first phase of Cornubia houses residents from surrounding informal settlements which include Blackburn, Stonebridge, Ridgeview and transit or waiting camps in Clermont.
One of the beneficiaries, who moved into her home as part of the completed Phase 1 A in November last year is 66-year-old Lucy Xaba. After spending five years in Lindela, a waiting camp in Waybank, Clermont, Xaba finally has her own, roof over her head.
The home is a Godsend to the pensioner, whose husband, a construction worker and the family’s breadwinner died a few years ago. Originally from KwaSwayimane, in Pietermaritzburg, she had to raise her children alone, and made ends meet by selling potatoes.
“Life has indeed been tough for me, but I am happy today because my suffering has come to an end. I never expected that I would ever live in a place like this,” said Xaba.
Living in Cornubia, is like returning to the promise land, says 51-year-old Inderlal Mothilal, who lives with his wife Mominbibi, 49, and their two children. The couple now earn a living by running a tuckshop within Cornubia, where residents can buy bread, milk and other essentials.
Just a few doors down, is the Muthia family. After 46 years of marriage, James and Sally Muthia finally have a home of their own. Originally from the Blackburn Village- an old slum near Phoenix, the couple’s home is known by residents as having the best garden in the area. “My new home is my pride and joy, that is why I take pride in my garden,” says James.
“My husband was always sickly, but now since we have moved to Cornubia his blood pressure is down and he has been feeling much better,” said Sally.
Living in a mixed community is quite nice, says 26-year-old mother of three, Zanele Cele.
Zanele lives in Cornubia with her father Zozwane Ngcobo and mother Eunice Cele, who are both unemployed.
The family moved to Cornubia after living in a one-room shack in a transit camp in Clermont. “We now have so much of space, and a bathroom - it is really a different life that we are used to, and we love it.”
“Living with people of mixed races is very nice. We learn a lot about different cultures, and Cornubia is how South Africa should be, one big happy mixed family,” says Zanele.
Construction to B, the next phase, is underway and promises another 2 100 homes, costing around R560 million. – SAnews.gov.za
