By More Matshediso
Pretoria - The Department of Human Settlements says it will built over 5 000 houses for military veterans in less than three years in all nine provinces to cater for all military veterans identified to have a need for housing.
The department on Sunday said it will kick start this through a national campaign while celebrating the Habitat Day through the 2014 annual Human Settlements Media Build.
The launch of the 5 000 houses will be led by the department’s Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, who will tomorrow host the annual Human Settlements Media Build together with the private sector and various media houses, at the Fleurhof Estate in Johannesburg.
“It is our intention to clear the backlog of all Military Veterans who seek houses and shelter in less than three years. We will be launching projects in all nine provinces, we want to build them decent houses to restore their dignity and to honour their contribution to our freedom, this is a national priority,” said Minister Sisulu.
The United Nations has designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day. The purpose of day is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter.
The department said the 2014 Media Build will be held under the theme “Restoring the dignity of military veterans through human settlements,” and will see members of the media, senior government officials, human settlement stakeholders and sponsors from the private sector build and donate three houses to the three eldest military veterans in the Gauteng military veterans database.
“Among the sponsors joining Minister Sisulu will be CalgroM3, First National Bank and Kansai Plascon. While the Department of Military Veterans, City of Joburg, the Gauteng Provincial Department of Human Settlements and all housing institutions will also participate in the Build,” the department said. - SAnews.gov.za
