Villagers finally have
a place to call home
By Tabisa Mntengwana
3 March 2009
MORE than 300 new houses were officially handed by Buffalo City to their new owners Tyutyu Village near Bhisho on Friday, 27 February.
For these families, living in mud houses is now a thing of the past.
The handing over ceremony, held next to the Tyutyu Clinic, started at 2pm with the housing portfolio head, Luntu Bobo, giving words of encouragement to the villagers.
"We all know that there have been delays in the construction and launching of these houses but we are grateful for your patience and tolerance towards the municipality."
Bobo's remarks were followed by the keynote address, delivered by the engineering services portfolio head, Sthembiso Tyilo. He noted that the municipality had done a great job in building the brick houses.
Giving her thanks, No-Asam Ngwemla, said: "My family will finally have a proper roof over their heads. We are grateful to Buffalo City Municipality for thinking about us in the rural areas."
Tyilo added, "We understand your pain and frustration of living under improper conditions and we are doing our best to eradicate these mud houses."
Extensive plan
Families benefiting from the municipal's low cost housing project are part of an extensive City plan, begun in 2000.
Tyutyu Village consists mainly of mud houses built by the villagers. This area was originally planned by the former homeland Ciskei government to be an agricultural rural village settlement.
The newly built houses are 40 square metres in size, and each has two bedrooms, an open plan lounge and kitchen, and a bathroom with a shower, toilet and basin.
According to Bobo the City plans to turn the village into a township soon. "In 1996, the City planned to revamp the village into a township and we are busy trying to do that as we speak."
It has spent nearly R18-million on the project already.
Built by the City and Nare Construction, the houses have running water and electricity and homeowners will be able to benefit from municipal services such as the indigent subsidy scheme which provides free basic services - water, electricity and refuse collection - to the underprivileged.
According to the City's spokesperson, Samkelo Ngwenya, at least 670 families in the area will have roofs over their heads by July.
It was the City's vision that residents live in a safe, healthy and sustainable environment. "We sincerely hope that this will make them proud and appreciate our efforts to create a better life for all and ensure a lasting victory over poverty and hunger."
Homeowners signed and received their title deeds. "I'm very happy I finally have a house and the title deed assures me that I'm a homeowner," said Sabela Bata.
Contact us:
