IT was a joyful day for five Mdantsane women who officially received their new homes in Z Soga township, NU 12 on National Women's Day.

For these women, 9 August was a highlight in their lives. Speaking to the media at her house, 61-year-old Shiyiwe Jalisile, who is disabled, said: "This marks a better life for me and my family since we have been living in a one-roomed shack for many years." Jalisile lives with her two children and grandchildren.

Executive Mayor Zukisa Faku spoke about the construction of these houses in her State of the City address in June. In all, more than 150 houses have been built in the area. "Various housing development projects were implemented within the city by the provincial department of human settlements and the municipality," she said.

"These projects are [in] Z Soga, Ilitha South, Tyutyu Phase 1 and 2 and other areas." The completed houses in NU 12 make up phase one of the Z Soga project; phase two is expected to start soon.

In her speech, Faku admitted that there was a housing backlog in Buffalo City, which the City hoped to eradicate "soon". "The provision of decent, habitable and sustainable human settlements remains a priority for the next financial year."

The Z Soga project started with a budget of more than R19-million in 2005; however, because of a problem with the building contractor, work was stopped in 2007 with 21 completed units.

Another excited beneficiary is Nombuduse Sinyabi. It is her second home - she was unable to move into her first because it had been badly built. "I'm grateful to finally have a proper house. Now I can live happily with my grandchildren."

Sinyabi said they had been living in harmony in the community since moving into the houses in June.

They were officially handed to the women by Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya, the minister of women, youth, children and people with disabilities, and the Eastern Cape MEC for human settlements, Nombulelo Mabandla, before they left for the national Women's Day celebrations at Buffalo City Stadium in Acardia, East London.

Speaking about the importance of Women's Day, Mayende-Sibiya said: "We remember the 1956 women who marched to the Union Buildings who today are our heroines in the struggle."

Her ministry's programme for Women's Month included a focus on reducing poverty and improving the socio-economic status of women.

President Jacob Zuma also spoke at the stadium, where he highlighted the importance of educating girl children. "Education is the most powerful socio-economic right that will help us bridge the gender divide," he said.

He also mentioned the low pass rate of girls, "which could be gender based and [because of] teenage pregnancies".

"It could also be that girls are expected by parents to spend a lot of time on household chores while boys are encouraged to study.

It could be cases of child-headed households where girls play the leading role in raising their siblings and replacing parents.

"We focus on socio-economic rights because the emancipation of women cannot be separated from the fight to eradicate poverty and to improve access to basic services," he added.