The Minister of Human Settlments, Lindiwe Sisulu and the Executive Mayor of the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMBMM), Danny Jordaan has launched the Walmer Q human settlements project by handing over three houses to the 70 to 86 year elderly people.

The Walmer Q human settlements project is the first project to be implemented under the Cabinet approved Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Support Programme. The Walmer Township has recently been home to robust service delivery protests which have resulted in the establishment of a high-level task team of senior officials in an attempt to fast-track housing delivery.

The project is an in-situ informal settlements upgrading project aimed primarily at delivering 189 units and providing shelter to more than
756 households in the area. It is expected that all 189 units will be delivered by end of December 2016.

Minister Sisulu appealed to contractors working on site that they meet the deadline. “You are expected to work around the clock to ensure every deserving Walmer citizen has a shelter by end of 2015. Your mandate is housing delivery and nothing else, Christmas is postponed until you finish”, said Sisulu.

“Our people have been waiting for far too long. Failing them is not an option. Involve them in the construction of their houses, let them also get jobs and skills”, added Sisulu.

Minister Sisulu further appealed to local community members to cooperate with Human Settlements and Housing Development Agency (HDA).

Minister Sisulu also presided over the welcoming ceremony for 100 Youth Brigades who come from the area who went on a four months character building course in the Free State Province. The Youth Brigade is a product of a Youth Accord signed in 2014. These young people, who had been sitting at home, unemployed and out of school will now be placed in various active housing projects within the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.

“We are investing in the future our country. They have come back empowered. I am handing over these young people to the Housing Development Agency (HDA) for more training. Young people embrace this opportunity and make use of it effectively”, said Sisulu.

As part of the visit to Nelson Mandela Bay, Minister Sisulu also has handed over the first of the 491 house to a 60 year old military veteran, Mr Shadrack Merile. Mr Merile is one of the destitute military veterans across the country. “Military veterans and the elders are our priority, this project will deliver 419 homes, decent home, military veterans told us they want to take part in the building, they said they want to learn new skills, we are happy to partner with them, not only here across the country as we clear the
6000 homes backlog” She said.

Enquiries:
Ndivhuwo Mabaya at 083 645 7838