Pretoria – Gauteng Premier David Makhura has urged housing beneficiaries in Hammanskraal to look after their new homes.
The Premier on Wednesday visited Kanana in Hammanskraal West Extension 2, where he handed over 550 houses to residents. He visited the area to assess service delivery after having visited in July last year.
The visit is part of the Ntirhisano Service Delivery Outreach Programme, which is a platform for residents to voice their challenges and concerns in relation to service delivery and other socio-economic issues.
Out of the 550 houses, 525 have been completed, while the remaining 25 are at roof level. A total of 2 095 houses are expected to be handed over to the Hammanskraal community at the end of the project.
Premier Makhura, who was accompanied by Tshwane Mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa, urged the recipients not to sell their houses and go back to their old shacks.
“We can’t give you a house for you to turn around and sell that house, and go back to your shack. If you go back to your shack, you join the service delivery protesters, who accuse government of not delivering,” said Premier Makhura.
Accepting her house keys, an elated Busisiwe Mkhabela, 75, told the Premier and Mayor how she struggled over the years while living in an informal settlement with her two grandchildren and one great grandchild.
“I’ve been suffering since I arrived in Kanana in 2000. The shack I was living in was in a bad state. I couldn’t keep food inside because the rats would eat everything and when it was raining, water would come inside the house,” Mkhabela told the Premier.
She thanked government, especially local government and their ward councillor, for listening to their concerns over housing.
“They promised us sanitation, water, electricity and houses. I’ve been following the progress since then and everything they promised has been delivered,” said Mkhabela.
The houses have two bedrooms, a lounge, kitchen with a sink and a bathroom with a flushing toilet and bath tub.
Premier Makhura also visited Mabopane Train Station, which is currently under massive reconstruction. The R150 million project includes the construction of a police station, bus terminal, food court and place for informal traders.
The Premier is expected to hold a public meeting at Winterveldt Multipurpose Centre later today.
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