The Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi will on Saturday, 17 February 2024 visit KwaZulu-Natal to handover government subsidized homes to qualifying beneficiaries in Ubuhlebezwe Local Municipality in the Harry Gwala District.

The handing over of houses is an important step in the Government’s commitment to provide decent and affordable housing to disadvantaged citizens. The Harry Gwala District Development Model Co-National Champion, and Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane, together with the Human Settlements and Public Works, MEC Sipho Nkosi, will be part of handover of the Gudlucingo Rural Housing Project, expected to yield 1500 units upon the completion of the remaining 300 units in Phase-2.

The Ministerial delegation, including the District Mayor, Cllr. Zamo Nxumalo alongside other local mayors and traditional authorities, will as part of the programme launch the first phase of 300 units of the Amanyuswa Rural Housing Project. The development will benefit the community of Ward 5 and 7, who will also be introduced to the implementing agent.

The handover of newly built government-subsidized homes will precede a community engagement and certification/graduation ceremony of youth trained in Community House Building, as part of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) – one of government’s intensive employment initiatives. The certification will comprise of 20 young women, who received training in construction and entrepreneurial skills, through the Manzamnyama and Ofafa Development Skills Development Programme.

The trainees, who successfully completed the programme and deemed as multiskilled practitioners, will also be provided with equipment to enable them to gain access to the construction industry.

Members of the media are invited to the event as follows: Date: Saturday, 17 February 2023

1. TECHNICAL BRIEFING (CLOSED) Time: 09:00 Venue: Jolivet Education Centre, Ixopo, Ubuhlebezwe Local Municipality, Harry Gwala District

2. GUDLUCINGO RURAL HOUSING PROJECT HANDOVER Time: 10:15 Venue: Gudlucingo Rural Housing Project, Ward8, Ubuhlebezwe Local Municipality, Harry Gwala District

3. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EPWP YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME CERTIFICATION/GRADUATION Time: 12:00 Venue: Mgangeni Sportsfield, Ward 5 Kwampondo, Ixopo, Ubuhlebezwe Local Municipality, Harry Gwala District

NB: There will be opportunities for media engagements For media enquiries and confirmations, contact: Hlengiwe Nhlabathi-Mokota, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Human Settlements on 064 7548426 / Hlengiwe.Nhlabathi@dhs.gov.za or KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements and Public Works Spokesperson Mlungisi Khumalo 071 412 4831, Harry Gwala District Municipality Communications, Ndabezitha Tenza 071 561 1278, uBuhlebezwe Local Municipality Communications Zakhele Mtolo 072 068 1139.

Issued by the Ministry of Human Settlements Govan Mbeki House 240 Justice Mahomed Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria, 0001