The community of Brooks Farm and Shallcross in eThekwini region, jubilantly expressed gratitude to the government for restoring their dignity, as they were handed over keys to their newly built subsidized homes and title deeds this week.
Minister Kubayi described 15th October 2021 as a historic day, as 100 Shallcross residents among them, 90-year-old Ms Kamalatchy Pillay and 87-year-old Ms Jusodhra Prakash, received their title deeds giving them full ownership of their homes occupied pre-1994.
Out of the 562 title deeds, only less than 200 of them are yet to be handed over to the residents of Shallcross, ward 71.
“We will ensure that we hand over the remaining title deeds as soon as possible and this is something we are prioritizing as government, to ensure that we restore dignity and address apartheid spatial planning. We want to see a situation where in previously disadvantaged people become owners of properties” said Minister Kubayi.
On the first day of the provincial visits on Thursday, the Minister together with KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Sihle Zikalala, met with elated families in Brooks Farm, Ward 52 to officially hand over houses. They assured those still on a waiting list that government was now committed to moving with speed and efficiency in providing sustainable human settlements.
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The Brooks Farm beneficiaries included 48-year-old Mr Christopher Majozi and five other visually impaired beneficiaries. Mr Majozi, who lost his sight at the age of 16 through a shooting, broke into song and dance with his new neighbours who received fully furnished homes. This told a story of citizens whose lives had been changed for the better.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Premier Zikalala told community members who had gathered at a nearby sports field, that the provincial government was committed to providing decent shelter to those in need, particularly vulnerable groups.
“We are a caring government; we will not rest until everyone has decent shelter over their heads,” he said, adding that he had agreed with MEC of Human Settlements, Jomo Sibiya, that there must be a sense of urgency in response to the housing needs of the people.
Prior to the handover of houses, the Minister and the provincial delegation, held discussions on the implementation of human settlements projects within eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, where she amongst others, called on all spheres of government to work closely to eradicate informal settlements, including Lindela. “The eradication of Lindela and informal settlements in eThekwini should be amongst the main priorities going forward,” said Minister Kubayi.
Priority was also to work collaboratively to accelerate human settlements developments in Maoti and Cornubia. The Minister also underlined a need to ensure that these developments produce economic spinoffs to benefit the local community. Amongst those who attended the two-day programme in eThekwini, included the Deputy Mayor-elect, Cllr Diana Hoorzuk and the Chairperson of eThekwini Metropolitan Human Settlements and Infrastructure Portfolio, Cllr Thanduxolo Sabelo.
