The Ditsobotla Peoples Housing Programme (PHP) provides for 710 houses spread across North West villages such as Grassfontein, where the project was launched yesterday, as well as Welverdien, Bakerville and GaMotlatla.

Out of the 710 units, a total of 360 have been completed while 350 are still under construction. Speaking at the ceremony on Wednesday Kota-Fredericks encouraged community members to continue working together with government to strengthen partnerships.

"The most important aspect of PHP projects is the involvement of communities in the planning and building of their houses. The houses are bigger and they are of good quality," said Kota-Fredericks.

"For a long time, human settlements programmes have been perceived to be concentrating in the urban areas, today I am very happy that North West is implementing this PHP in these rural villages," added Kota Fredericks.

Earlier in the morning Kota – Fredericks, North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison and the Executive Mayor Lesego Holele handed over three houses in Welverdien village as part of the launch activities.

One of the beneficiaries, Sejang Legate (83) expressed relief after getting the house saying she used to share a one - room mud house with her child and five grandchildren. "At night there was not enough space to accommodate us all. My grandchildren would always go to school tired because they could not sleep properly," said Lagate.

"I am so happy that my dreams have been answered with this house as I did not have money to build a house myself," she added.

MEC Nono Maloyi congratulated members of the community who are part of the project saying it was such projects that saw North West being crowned as the best delivering province during the Govan Mbeki Awards last month.

Issued by the Department of Human Settlements.

For more information call: Teboho Montse 0828866721