By Nkhensani Chauke
The Deputy Minister for Human Settlements, Tandi Mahambehlala, has facilitated the handover of houses in Kamiesberg Local Municipality, providing dignified and secure housing to eligible recipients.
On Thursday, Mayors, Speakers, Chief Whips, and Municipal Managers from various municipalities across the Namakwa District collaborated with Deputy Minister Mahambehlala and Northern Cape MEC for COGHSTA, Bentley Vass, in the distribution of these homes to their rightful beneficiaries.
In 2024, Mahambehlala received a comprehensive briefing on all Human Settlements projects in the Northern Cape, including the R1 billion housing initiatives spearheaded by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
This presentation highlighted achievements, challenges, and strategies implemented to ensure the swift delivery of housing to those in need.
“The engagements allowed for meaningful dialogue between the national, provincial, and local spheres of government. It was a chance to review progress, identify gaps, and reaffirm our shared responsibility to serve communities with integrity, urgency, and compassion,” said Mahambehlala.
“Reaffirm our unwavering commitment to ensure that no South African is left behind when it comes to accessing dignified and secured housing.”
During the handover, Northern Cape MEC for COGHSTA, Bentley Vass, expressed satisfaction with the engagement and progress made in delivering tangible outcomes—particularly in upgrading informal settlements and unblocking stalled housing projects.
“We’re grateful for the Deputy Minister’s visit as part of her oversight responsibilities. It will help us as a province to address some of the challenges we face. We remain committed to delivering quality houses to our people and tackling the housing backlog,” said Vass.
Mahambehlala echoed the sentiment, expressing her delight at the progress made by the Department of Human Settlements.
“I am pleased with the Department’s efforts to house the nation. Even among the blocked projects, commendable work is being done. We will return for a follow-up session to assess whether the delivery timelines have been met,” said Mahambehlala.
The oversight visit concluded with the handover of 10 Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses in Soebatsfontein.
This formed part of the project’s first phase, which included the construction of 20 houses for indigent households in the Kamiesberg Local Municipality and 10 additional houses in Paulshoek.
Reflecting on the visit, Vass described it as a purposeful response to the lived realities of the community.
“Housing is not merely about infrastructure; it is a constitutional right, as enshrined in Section 26 of the Constitution and affirmed in the Freedom Charter, which declares that there shall be houses, security, and comfort,” added Mahambehlala.
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