Human Settlements Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete will on Friday (08 September 2023) lead a government service delivery imbizo in Umzimkhulu Municipality in the Harry Gwala District, as a follow-up visit to the area.

Together with the Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu, Deputy Ministers from various departments, KwaZulu-Natal MECs and Mayors, the delegation will return to Kromhoek to handover 60 out of the 79 houses that are being built by a woman contractor for destitute families in the area. The remaining 19 houses are at finishing stages.

The delegation will further provide updates on the progress made to render services to the community including the delivery of houses for identified destitute households in the area.

In July 2022 the three spheres of government visited uMzimkhulu in a quest to improve the lives of the communities through the accelerated delivery of services, such as Breaking New Ground (BNGs) to qualifying beneficiaries and the creation of economic opportunities. The government-subsidized homes will be handed over to beneficiaries who have been living in mud structures. The Department of Human Settlements has declared war on mud houses, with a commitment to provide decent shelter for the destitute families.

The Imbizo will serve as a platform to provide feedback to the community on what has been achieved since the last engagement. Some of the commitments made from the previous Imbizo include the electrification of houses in the area, funding of youth-owned enterprises, planting of trees in the and assisting subsistence farmers with garden tools such as wheelbarrows, fork spades, horse water pipes, and watering cans.

Details are as follows:

1. Houses handover and planting of trees.

Venue: Kromhoek Village, Ward 20, Umzimkhulu Local Municipality

Time: 08h00

Date: Friday, 08 September 2023

2. Community Imbizo and Service Fair

Venue: Kromhoek Sports Field

Time: 09h00

Date: Friday, 08 September 2023

For R.S.V.P contact Isaac Skhosana on Isaac.Skhosana@dhs.gov.za / 076 875 5681 5681 or Nontuthuko Ngubane ngubaneN1@harrygwaladm.gov.za / 0763990202

Media Enquiries: Hlengiwe Nhlabathi-Mokota, Ministry Spokesperson on 064 754 8426 or Hlengiwe.Nhlabathi@dhs.gov.za. OR Mlungisi Khumalo, Spokesperson for MEC of Human Settlements and Public Works in KZN on 074 535 9794.

Issued by the Ministry of Human Settlements

Govan Mbeki House

240 Justice Mahomed Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria, 0001