MEDIA RELEASE

HOUSING MINMEC HAND OVER ANOTHER 1000 HOUSES OF THE 20 000 ZANEMVULA HOUSING PROJECT

20/11/08. Eastern Cape, Zanemvula.  The Minister of Housing, Lindiwe Sisulu accompanied by all Housing MECs today handed over 1000 new homes to residents of Zanemvula.  This follows the handover of the first 1000 houses by the Minister in September 2008.  The Minister and the MECs are in the Eastern Cape to attend the Bi Monthly meeting of the Minister, MECs and SALGA (MINMEC).

The Zanemvula project is a green field integrated human settlement development that is accommodating former residents of floods plain areas like Soweto on Sea, Chatty, Joe Slovo West and other identified communities of informal settlements.  The project when completed will deliver close to 20 000 homes in an integrated human settlement development with basic amenities like schools, parks, clinics and other economic and job creation infrastructures.

In an unprecedented team work from the Provincial Department, Municipalities and Project Managers to fast track housing delivery, 3000 foundation are ready to start building, 2800 houses are at window height, 2700 houses wall plate, 2049 completed and 1145 sites transferred since the project started few months ago.

Speaking at the handover the Minister said the people of Zanemvula must appreciate the beautiful houses they are receiving. “As you can see the houses you are receiving are of top quality, they are beautiful and you must look after them, this houses are not only asserts today they are asserts for you and your children, when we said we will deliver houses, security and comfort, this is what we meant”. Minister Sisulu said.

The Minister added that reports presented today in the MINMEC (Meeting of Minister and all MECs) shows that the past of delivery has increased and all Provincial Departments are doing better than before in fast tracking the delivery of Human Settlements.

“From provincial reports we received today it is clear that the BNG policy that lays a framework for integrated human settlements is now central to our planning, and project implementation on a daily basis, our houses are getting better, all our projects are now enrolled and our ability to spend has also improved, from here now we are only going for greater heights” She said.

NB: A full MINMEC statement will be issued separately.

Issued by the Department of Housing
For more information contact Ndivhuwo Mabaya on 083 645 7838
Date:  20 November 2008.