The Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements, led by MEC Siphokazi Lusithi, handed over a newly built house to 110-year-old Poto Dyantyisi today in Patensie, under the Kouga Local Municipality.
The handover ceremony marked a special tribute to Nelson Mandela Day and highlights government’s commitment to improving the lives of its most vulnerable citizens, “Today, on Mandela Day, we celebrate one of the most vital milestones in our nation’s history. It is a day where we demonstrate our commitment to prioritizing the needs of our elderly citizens and people living with disabilities. This commitment is reflected in our destitute programs, and we are here today, in the spirit of tata Nelson Mandela, to give importance to this day through action,” said MEC Lusithi.
Mr. Dyantyisi, who has been living in a shack with his seven siblings, received the keys to his new home, marking a significant improvement in his living conditions, ”I thank the Lord for answering my prayers. I have longed for a proper home, and today, my dream has come true. Thank you to the Department of Human Settlements and the Kouga Local Municipality for this incredible gift. At this age, I am deeply moved to witness the construction of this new house for me.” said Dyantyisi.
This intervention is a result of a collaborative effort between the Department and the Kouga Local Municipality. Mr. Dyantyisi’s situation was brought to the department’s attention through the dedicated efforts of the ward councillor, local municipality and district departments, highlighting an urgent need for intervention., “We recognized the immediate need to improve his living conditions and enrolled him in our destitute program,” explained Lusithi. The new home was built through the Department’s Destitute and Vulnerable Groups Programme.
The Sarah Baartman District Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr Deon De Vos commended the Department for the swift action taken. “It is a very emotional day, especially because we have handed over a house to one of our oldest citizens. We have a high number of unemployed youth and more elderly people living in need of houses but we are working on the process of building more houses,” said Cllr De Vos.
The handover forms part of the Department’s Nelson Mandela Day celebrations focusing on improving the lives of the destitute and vulnerable in society.