Giyani - The Nene family in Muyexe, outside Giyani in Limpopo, will spend their first night in a proper home tonight after President Jacob Zuma handed over the keys to their front door on Monday.
The President was in the dusty Muyexe village to launch the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP) aimed at radically transforming rural areas.
Before making a formal address to the community, the President stopped at one of ten houses built by the Independent Development Trust (IDT).
Each house was built at a total cost of R150 000 and has a kitchen, dining room, bathroom, toilet and two bedrooms.
Walking hand-in-hand with 53-year-old Ntombihle Nene, who cares for her five children and four grandchildren, the President inspected the house before saying some private words of encouragement and handing over the keys.
Ms Nene was overjoyed at the prospect of living in a proper home. Speaking to BuaNews she said she used to sleep on the dirty floor of a roundavel mud house with her children and grandchildren.
The mother, who is struggling to find work, said that when it rained she would spend the night standing against the wall because the thatch roof leaked. The family's safety was also a concern for her as there was no lock on the makeshift door.
The family had been surviving on two child support grants. They got food mostly through food parcels and other donations.
Ms Nene thanked the President for ensuring that his promises were realized. "I could not still believe that from now onwards I will be sleeping in a decent house. Truly speaking, the situation at my household was stressful," she said.
Muyexe came under the spotlight when government chose the Greater Giyani Municipality as part of a pilot project for the campaign to develop rural areas
