By Nangamso Mabindla
19 October 2007

TEARS of joy streamed down the cheeks of Potsdam residents who became proud homeowners on Wednesday, 17 October.

Buffalo City Executive Mayor Zintle Peter handed over the houses to eight beneficiaries during her annual Mayoral Imbizo programme.

"I regard it as a privilege that I can be here as an instrument of service delivery on behalf of the different spheres of government, of course assisted by our engineers and planners and workers in Buffalo City, to make sure that our people are able to see tangible signs of the better life that all of us are challenged to build," Peter said.

Funded by the provincial department of housing, local government and traditional affairs, 2 503 low cost houses will be built for families who were moved from various zones in Mdantsane to Potsdam. The provincial department has already granted funding for the first 500 sites.

Peter said she was proud that the City was part of the national government's efforts to bring affordable housing to the people.

"We are certainly proud as Buffalo City that we have played a significant part in meeting [government] targets and that our housing division continues to enjoy the confidence of the department of housing, local government and traditional affairs as an accredited housing developer."

The R16-million Potsdam Unit P social housing project was implemented to resolve the issue of shared houses in Mdantsane, which was a way of living that did not lend dignity to residents.

"This project has consequently been aimed primarily at providing low-cost housing units at Potsdam (Unit P) for beneficiaries from various zones within Mdantsane who are currently living in 'shared houses,'" Peter said.

Councillor Sithembiso Tyilo presents a picture of the Potsdam housing development to Executive Mayor Zintle Peter

"For each shared house, one family will be required to move to the new development while the other family will remain in the house."

People living in informal settlements around Potsdam also stood to benefit from the project. It is expected to be finished in the 2008/2009 financial year, when the project will provide homes for 628 shack dwellers and 1 800 beneficiaries now sharing housing from Mdantsane.

"Those moving to Potsdam will be given title deeds to their new [Reconstruction and Development Programme] units. The beneficiaries remaining at Mdantsane will be given title deeds for their four-roomed houses."

After the formalities, Peter gave the eight new homeowners the keys to their doors.