The Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu will lead the South African celebrations of Habitat Day by launching the 2014 annual Human Settlements Media Build together with the private sector and various media houses at the Fleurhof Estate in Johannesburg Gauteng. The United Nations has designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day. The purpose of World Habitat Day is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter.

The 2014 Media Build held under the theme “Restoring the dignity of military veterans through human settlements” will see members of the media, senior government officials, human settlement stakeholders and sponsors from the private sector build and donate three houses to the three eldest military veterans in the Gauteng military veterans database.

The Build will also kick start a national campaign to build over 5000 houses for military veterans in less than three years in all nine provinces to cater for all the military veterans identified to have a need for housing.

“It is our intention to clear the backlog of all Military Veterans who seek houses and shelter in less than three years, we will be launching projects in all nine provinces, we want to build them decent houses to restore their dignity and to honour their contribution to our freedom, this is a national priority” said Minister Sisulu.

Among the sponsors joining Minister Sisulu will be CalgroM3, First National Bank and Kansai Plascon. While the Department of Military Veterans, City of Joburg. The Gauteng Provincial Department of Human Settlements and all housing institutions will also participate in the Build.

Members of the media are encouraged to come to the event at 09:00am ready to join the Minister in building, painting, greening of the houses and other tasks.

Issued by Ministry of Human Settlements
For confirmation, Mr Bongani Mlangeni on 082 885 3378 or Bongani.mlangeni@dhs.gov.za
Enquiries: Ndivhuwo Mabaya on 083 645 7838