MEDIA ALERT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ATT: REPORTERS, ASSIGNMENT EDITORS
13 September 2019
DESTITUTE FAMILIES RECEIVE NEW HOMES IN OR TAMBO
East London ——– More impoverished families will receive new homes from MEC of Human Settlements, Ms Nonkqubela Pieters and Minister of National Department of Human Settlements and Water Affairs, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, in rural villages of QweQwe and Port St Johns in OR Tambo District Municipality on 16 September 2019. The handover is a build up to a planned visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa to the district municipality.
The two families whose living conditions will be improved have benefited from the Department’s programme and collaborations to provide decent quality homes for the poor. MEC Pieters has given a directive to municipalities to reprioritise their lists for houses to focus on the neediest. “We cannot start with the youth whilst the elderly are in need of houses. The limited budget prevents us from building for everyone who wants a house, but now to rather focus on those who need houses. The Department of Human Settlements is prioritising the most destitute and vulnerable in society, which includes the elderly, disabled, child headed homes and military veterans. The MEC has also called upon officials to refrain from doing business with government.
Bongiwe Mamkeli has been living under appalling conditions with her family of 12 after their mud flat was destroyed following a natural disaster in 2017. Heavy rains and winds caused the collapse of the walls of their mud flat. The new house forms part of the Qweqwe 1000 Rural Project which is being implemented in phases. The first phase is the construction of 50 units and provision of water tanks at a budget of R8mil. On completion, the entire project will see 1000 beneficiaries with new homes in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality.
The other beneficiary, Macacisile Moni from Bhutulo in PSJ, has benefitted from a collaboration with the private sector. Mr Siviwe Chipa Mpengesi, Chairman of Chipa United sponsored towards construction of the house for the Moni family. Minister Sisulu will also attend the handover today together with the local government led by the Acting MMC of Human Settlements, Cllr Dumisani Mjokovana.
The President will be visiting OR Tambo District Municipality from the 16 September 2019 to outline plans to develop the province, especially OR Tambo.
Members of the media are invited to the handover ceremonies to be held as follows;
| DATE | TIME | VENUE |
| 16 September 2019 | 10h00 | Qweqwe |
| 12h30 | Bhutulo Village, PSJ |
Issued by Ministry of Human Settlements (Eastern Cape)
Enquiries: Spokesperson Mr Masiza Mazizi
Cell: 072 389 8609
Facebook: EC Human Settlements News Channel