Pretoria – After years of squatting, 89 year-old Christina Sesi Maseko will from Monday sleep comfortable in her new house in Tsakane Extension 22.
Maseko with other 849 beneficiaries, were on Saturday relocated to their brand new four-roomed homes by Gauteng Department of Human Settlements.
The houses comprise of two bedrooms, bathroom fitted with a toilet, basin and bath tub, lounge and a kitchen with electricity and running water.
The R60 million Tsakane Extension 22 housing project is a partnership between the City of Ekurhuleni and the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements.
The beneficiaries come from various communities in Eden Park, Tsakane, Kwa-Thema and Duduza, who have been on the housing waiting list.
"Today feels like my birthday. All of my life I have been squatting with relatives and recently I have been staying with my daughter who received her own house in Tsakane Extension 9.
“Now I am very relieved that my children finally have a place they can call home. I can now die in peace knowing that they will have a roof over their heads," said a jubilant Maseko.
Maseko will share her house with her last born daughter and three grandchildren.
Speaking at the handing over, Member of Mayoral Committee for Human Settlements in Ekurhuleni, Aubrey Nxumalo emphasized the City's commitment towards ensuring that all residents live in dignified conditions.
"The City of Ekurhuleni is committed to working tirelessly to deliver essential services to its citizenry. Today's program is a symbol depicting a municipality that cares and listens to the needs of the community, and this process could not have been a success if you did not afford us adequate time to finalise all the logistics that were necessary to see this project come to fruition," said Nxumalo.
As of 01 February 2016, all of the beneficiaries, including the elderly, people living with disabilities, child headed households and military veterans, will officially move into their new homes with the assistance of officials from both the local and provincial offices of Human Settlements.
The Tsakane Extension 22 project will have 4117 households. The current phase has 850 stands with 425 houses already been completed.
The other 425 are under construction and have already been serviced with water and sewer services.
Meanwhile, MMC Nxumalo announced that the new development will also enjoy the adequate allocation of community services such as clinic, early childhood development centres, recreational parks, a library, taxi ranks, business centre, places of worship and their own nearby customer care centre in the future.
Nxumalo also announced that plans are in place to rename Tsakane Extension 22 after the late Caiphus Sambo in the coming months.
“This will be done in honour of Sambo, who was the first MMC for Human Settlements for the Ekurhuleni Council who dedicated endless hours to seeing realizing the dream of proper housing for all.” – SAnews.gov.za
