The delivery of 300 homes to qualifying beneficiaries in the Harry Gwala District, some of whom lived in mud houses, was greatly commended by beneficiaries while Amakhosi in the area pledged unwavering commitment to support government by availing more land for further development.

The District’s Ubuhlebezwe Local Municipality was a hive of activity this weekend during a Ministerial visit led by Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi to hand over keys to new home owners at Gudlucingo Rural Housing Project, which is expected to yield 1500 units upon the completion of the remaining 300 units in Phase-2. Construction of the second phase will begin in earnest following the introduction of the implementing agent during a community engagement at Mgangeni Sportsfield at Ward 5 Kwampondo in Ixopo. The development will benefit the community of Ward 5 and 7, who were introduced to the implementing agent.

The Ministerial delegation included the Harry Gwala District Development Model Co-National Champion, and Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane, Human Settlements and Public Works MEC, Sipho Nkosi, District Mayor, Cllr. Zamo Nxumalo and Ubuhlebezwe Local Municipality Mayor Elizabeth Ngubo, alongside other local mayors and Amakhosi.

“The eradication of mud structures across the country is one of the apex priorities for the government in the delivery of sustainable human settlements. It is humbling to see how the work that we do has changed people’s lives by instantly transforming their living conditions. As we transform the sector and drive accelerated service delivery, we cannot leave rural areas behind,” said Minister Kubayi to much applause from thousands of community members.

Amanyuswa Traditional Council Chairperson and host, Inkosi Ngcobo expressed gratitude for the provision of housing, particularly focused on the eradication of mud structures in the area, saying: “It’s important to thank the government as we were hurling insults for non-delivery in the past, today we say thank you . Our dreams and of even those who are no longer with us, have been realised”.

Mayor Ngubo said it was encouraging that when communities raised their voices, they were heard evidenced through the successful completion of the Gudlucingo Rural Housing Project, followed by a prompt visit by the Ministerial delegation to immediately hand over properties to give back dignity to rural communities.

President Cyril Ramaphosa committed that the sixth administration must be closer to communities, to not only understand their plight but also to give feedback on service provision. This weekend’s handing over of houses is an important step in the Government’s commitment to provide decent and affordable housing to disadvantaged citizens, a sentiment also echoed by MEC Nkosi as he emphasised commitment to accelerated service provision for the vulnerable.

Saturday’s programme also comprised of a service fair to provide advise on site and bring government services closer to the people.

The new home owners included an unemployed Funisile Norah Mkhize (70), who was staying in a shack with her grandchildren. She has been a resident of Gudlucingo area for over 50 years and was elated to finally receive her house which she affectionately referred to as “uSthandwa” – her new love.

“I can safely sleep in this beautiful home now, it’s a dream come true. Thank you to the government and everyone who has made this happen, our living conditions have drastically improved.”

Ms Mkhize’s primary income is from government as she also receives social services. Similarly, Nokuthula Hlongwane (49), was overjoyed with emotions while narrating her journey from staying in a mud house with her two children before the intervention by the government.

The housing handovers happened alongside a 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. Amongst those were 20 young women who received training in construction and entrepreneurial skills, through the Manzamnyama and Ofafa 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.

“There are projects in communities across KwaZulu-Natal and some of them are already provided opportunities to contribute and participate meaningfully in their communities and effectively the economy, now that they are well equipped with reverent skills and tools,” said Minister Kubayi.

She further cautioned against illegal occupations or disruptions of projects and further urged communities to protect all developments to ensure timeous completion and occupancy by rightful beneficiaries. Meanwhile, the Minister directed that a team comprising of all three spheres of government conduct fresh evaluations of all homes that require urgent interventions, following floods caused by unpredictable weather patterns as seen recently. This followed feedback received during a performance assessment meeting with all three spheres of government. In that regard, a team will be on the ground on Monday to to ensure that affected families are assisted.

For media enquiries and confirmations, contact: Hlengiwe Nhlabathi-Mokota, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Human Settlements on 064 7548426 / Hlengiwe.Nhlabathi@dhs.gov.za

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

The Deputy Minister of Human Settlements, Pam Tshwete, will tomorrow (20 February 2024) visit KwaZulu-Natal to hand over title deeds and newly-built homes to qualifying beneficiaries of Umuziwabantu Local Municipality in Ugu District Municipality. The handing over of the 299 title deeds to the Mazakhele Township beneficiaries will affirm security of tenure to families whose homes are bordering the Central Business District of the town of Harding.

The title deeds hand over is a continuation of a campaign to accelerate the restoration of dignity to rightful owners, also aimed at mobilising beneficiaries of government-subsidised homes or Breaking New Grounds (BNGs) to collect their title deeds at municipality offices.

Deputy Minister Tshwete will be joined by KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, Sipho “KK” Nkosi and Ugu District Municipality Mayor Councillor, Sikhumbuzo “Zero” Mqadi and Umuziwabantu Local Municipality Mayor, Councillor Siboniso Zungu. Also in attendance will be the local traditional leadership consisting of AmaKhosi and IziNduna.

Prior to the title deeds handover ceremony, the ministerial entourage will as part of Operation Siyahlola, conduct an oversight visit at two human settlements developments - Cluster One and Cluster Six Housing Projects - where they will hand over newly-built homes to a family currently living in a mud house. The house handover is a tangible demonstration of the Government’s commitment to eradicate unsafe mud houses and replacing them with decent shelter.

Members of the media are invited to the event as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 20th February 2023

1. TECHNICAL BRIEFING (CLOSED SESSION) Time: 10:00 Venue: Phumza Hall, Hardin, Umuziwabantu Local Municipality, Ugu District

2. CLUSTER SIX RURAL HOUSING PROJECT HANDOVER Time: 11:00 Venue: Cluster Six Rural Housing Project, Umuziwabantu Local Municipality, Ugu District

3. CLUSTER ONE RURAL HOUSING PROJECT OPERATION SIYAHLOLA Time: 11:30 Venue: Cluster One Rural Housing Project, Umuziwabantu Local Municipality, Ugu District

4. TITLE DEEDS HAND OVER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Time: 12:00 Venue: Sutton Open Space near Sutton Primary School, Ward 11 Umuziwabantu Local Municipality, Ugu District

NB: There will be opportunities for media engagements For media enquiries and confirmations, contact: Hlengiwe Nhlabathi-Mokota, Human Settlements Ministry Spokesperson on 064 7548426 Mlungisi Khumalo – Spokesperson for MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works on 071 412 4831 Bruce Jalubani – Spokesperson for Umuziwabantu Local Municipality on 076 559 5365 Issued by the Ministry of Human Settlements Govan Mbeki House 240 Justice Mahomed Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria, 0001

The Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi has dispatched a team responsible for Emergency Housing in the Department to establish the type and extent of damage to formal and informal houses caused by a storm that hit several areas in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday.

The preliminary assessments, thus far, indicate that several households in Ekubuseni, Gomodo, and Holinyoka villages were largely affected leaving four households homeless. After the completion of these assessments, the Emergency Housing Unit will then intervene based on the four categories of emergency housing interventions provided by the Department, namely:

• Restoration: Provide building materials to all households whose structures were destroyed by the storm

• Relocation: Provide Temporary Emergency Accommodation (TEAs) for all homeless households.

• Rebuilding: Constructing Temporary Residential Units (TRUs) for all destroyed mud houses.

• Repairs: Fixing all damaged formal houses, after the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) has completed the structural assessments

“I have directed officials to ensure that affected households are assisted as a matter of urgency. We have roped in one of our agencies, NHBRC to help the team assess the integrity of all structures that have been affected”, said Minister Kubayi.

Established in 2023, the Emergency Housing Unit is tasked with the responsibility of responding to emergencies such as fires and floods. This is done by working together with other spheres of government.

“Our main objective in emergency housing response is to ensure that we respond swiftly and provide solutions that will enable the affected communities to rebuild their homes”, added Minister Kubayi.

For media enquiries, contact Hlengiwe Nhlabathi-Mokota, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Human Settlements on 064 754 8426 or Hlengiwe.Nhlabathi@dhs.gov.za or Nozipho Zulu, Head of Communications on 078 457 9376

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

In line with the United Nations theme: "Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress", Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, and Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete will join the global community to celebrate this year's International Women's Day on 8 March 2024.

This year's strategic focus resonates with the endeavours and commitment of our government to ensure women play an active role in all sectors of the economy. Delivering her closing remarks at the 2023 Human Settlements Women Indaba and Exhibition held in Kimberly, Northern Cape, Minister Kubayi announced the re-convergence of women in the sector on International Women's Day for the Department to report back on the work to implement resolutions of the Indaba, amongst them the enforcement of the 40% set aside for women-owned enterprises and overall meaningful economic participation of women in the human settlements sector.

Women's empowerment in the sector has gone a long way to help the government deliver on its mission to improve the quality of household life. The participants on the day will further seek to reflect on and celebrate the achievements and contributions of South African women in the Human Settlements Sector, with a specific focus on the entire sector value chain aimed at redressing women's economic exclusion. Women in the built environment will attend the International Women's Day commemoration with other representatives from global women's organisations, who will also share their experiences of their 30-year journey towards women's economic empowerment.

Details are as follows: Date: Friday, 08 March 2024 Venue: East London International Convention Centre - Esplanade, 22 Esplanade St, Quigney, East London Time: 09h00

NB: For media confirmations and transport arrangements, contact: Phiwokuhle Soga on 076 804 4292 I PhiwokuhleS@ecdhs.gov.za OR Teboho Montse on 082 886 6721 I Teboho.montse@dhs.gov.za

Media Enquiries: Hlengiwe Nhlabathi-Mokota, Ministry Spokesperson on 064 754 8426 I Hlengiwe.Nhlabathi@dhs.gov.za OR the Head of Communications Nozipho Zulu on 078 457 9376 I Nozipho.Zulu@dhs.gov.za Issued by the Ministry of Human Settlements Govan Mbeki House 240 Justice Mahomed Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria, 0001

The Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi, and Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete will brief members of the media on Human Settlements policy amendments coming into effect from the 1st of April 2024. Areas of focus include amongst others, achievements in the implementation of the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF), the delivery of sustainable human settlements, the implementation of the Emergency Housing Programme since the 1st of April 2023, and the process that is currently underway to review the Housing Act of 1997. The annual media briefing will take place on Thursday, 28 March 2024, immediately after the Post Cabinet Media Briefing led by the Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.

Members of the media are invited as follows: Date: 28 March 2024 Time: 11:30 (immediately after Post Cabinet Briefing) Venue: GCIS-Ronnie Mamoepa Press Room, Tshedimosetso House, 1035 Francis Baard Street, Hatfield, Pretoria.

The briefing will also be live-streamed on the Department and Government Social Media Platforms as follows: Facebook: http://facebook.com/humansettlements http://facebook.com/GovernmentZA Twitter: http://twitter.com/GovernmentZA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GovernmentZA

For RSVP: Teboho Montse on 082 886 6721 Teboho.Montse@dhs.gov.za For media enquiries, contact: Hlengiwe Nhlabathi-Mokota, Ministry Spokesperson on 064 754 8426 I Hlengiwe.Nhlabathi@dhs.gov.za OR DHS Head of Communications Nozipho Zulu on 078 457 9376 I Nozipho.Zulu@dhs.gov.za Issued by the Ministry of Human Settlements Govan Mbeki House 240 Justice Mahomed Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria, 0001

Human Settlements Deputy Minister Pamela Tshwete, will tomorrow, 4 April 2024 visit the fire-ravaged informal settlements in Langa, Cape Town.

The fires damaged structures and displaced families over the Easter weekend. Preliminary assessments indicate that over 300 properties were destroyed, affecting approximately over 700 people at Joe Slovo, Covid-19 and Dornbusch Informal Settlements.

As part of the oversight visit, the Deputy Minister will meet with the community and local leadership amidst interventions to urgently households get underway.

Details are as follows:

ACTIVITY 1: DOORNBACH INFORMAL SETTLEMENT

Date: Thursday, 04 April 2024 Time: 11h00 Arrival Venue: No2 Winning Way, 10 Roma Street, - Dunoon, City of Cape Town – Western Cape.

ACTIVITY 2: JOE SLOVO INFORMAL SETTLEMENT

Time: 14h00 Arrival Venue: Langa Housing Office, Cnr. King Langalibalele Road and Lerotholi Street, Langa, City of Cape Town – Western Cape

R.S.V.P: Contact Isaac Skhosana on 076 875 5681 or Isaac.skhosana@dhs.gov.za

Media Enquiries:

Hlengiwe Nhlabathi-Mokota, Ministry Spokesperson on 064 754 8426 or DHS Head of Communications on Nozipho Zulu at 078 457 9376

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

The Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi, and Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete will on Wednesday, 10 April 2024, launch the Townlands Social Housing Project in Marabastad, City of Tshwane, which is one of the biggest Social Housing Project in the country. Townlands Social Housing Project is a 1200-unit social housing development that offers low-cost rental accommodation to qualifying residents of Tshwane, who fall in the income band of R1 850 to R22 000 per month. This affordable housing development will enable residents of Tshwane to live near the city centre to have access to economic opportunities, thus redressing the housing backlog in the city.

The Social Housing Regulatory Agency (SHRA), an entity of the Department of Human Settlements, partnered with Housing Company Tshwane (HCT) in the development of this social housing project.

The Ministerial delegation includes Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements and Infrastructure Development, Lebogang Maile, and City of Tshwane MMC for Human Settlements, Cllr Ofentse Madzebatela.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 10 April 2024
Time: 10h00
Venue: Townlands Social Housing Project, Marabastad, Tshwane.

RSVP: Tebogo.mosima@dhs.gov.za or 072 171 1021

Media Enquiries:

Hlengiwe Nhlabathi-Mokota, Spokesperson for Ministry of Human Settlements on 064 754 8426 or Castro Ngobese, MEC’s Spokesperson on 060 997 7790

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

Beneficiaries of 1200-unit Townlands Social Housing launched in Tshwane this week were urged to pay their rental timeously and help maintain the long-term sustainability of such projects to avoid their collapse.

Other than Townlands, which has now been completed, three other projects are in the pipeline to deliver over 2000 units in the city and their success depends partly on beneficiaries also meeting their rental obligations.

Speaking at the launch in Marabastad on Wednesday, Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, said social housing was a valuable intervention to deal with informal settlements, back yarding and people staying in unsafe inner-city building as they provide affordable and decent rental options.

“We are creating opportunities for people to stay in safe government-subsidised rental housing closer to work, school, transport nodes and other social amenities as we address the unjust legacy of apartheid spatial planning”, said Minister Kubayi.

“Our interactions with approved tenants at Townlands and similar developments across the country are indicative of a trend whereby we find beneficiaries or tenants who would have formerly stayed in an informal settlement and transitioned to a formal area, others lived in the inner-city and were subjected to paying a lot of money in unsafe environments, others were paying money for accommodation to sometimes people who don’t even own these buildings.”

Townlands Social Housing offers low-cost rental accommodation to qualifying residents of Tshwane, who fall in the income band of R1 850 to R22 000 per month. This affordable housing development will enable the residents to live near the city centre to have access to economic opportunities, thus redressing the housing backlog in the city. The Social Housing Regulatory Agency (SHRA), an entity of the Department of Human Settlements, partnered with Housing Company Tshwane (HCT) in the development of this social housing project. There are currently about 6000 applications received from potential tenants.

Amongst the beneficiaries was Lebogang Tlhabane, a queer community beneficiary born in Pretoria who expressed how the development of Townlands has brought a sense of safety.

“I am an orphan, and I don’t have a home, so I had to move around a lot …survival on the streets was a challenge because my safety as a trans-gender woman was compromised and I am happy Townlands is my new home and I will be able to spend Christmas this year with my baby brother and friends around me,” said a beaming Thlabane.

A biometrics system will be integrated into the property in addition to the current security measures to also address the issue sub-tenanting by approved beneficiaries, where people bring people who aren’t registered into the property.

“People want to feel safe and the biometrics upgrading will ensure safer communities and in line with our freedom charter prescripts that there shall be houses, security and comfort, “said Minister Kubayi.

Deputy Minister Tshwete was encouraged by the fact that the project was championed by women contractors who were present at the launch, as women have overtime been vocal about being given opportunities as main contractors instead of being subcontracted.

“Today, we see them here and this should be celebrated,” she said. In the last financial year, the Department of Human Settlements spent R3.1billion as part of 40% set aside for women-owned companies contracted to build and help government to resolve the housing backlog. Meanwhile, MEC Maile highlighted that the democratic government had done significant work since 1994 in providing shelter for vulnerable people, adding that the Townlands launch was also true testament to that.

“We are sitting with no less than 1.3 million houses built in Gauteng since 1994. Today we have about 2 million people in the national housing register and 1.2 million of those are in the economic hub of Gauteng, where the population has doubled in search of economic opportunities,” he said.

Ward 58 Councillor in Tshwane, Conride Ngoveni, expressed appreciation for the work done, saying “today government has proven it can deliver”.

MMC Madzabatela said he was looking forward to the roll out of more projects by Team Human Settlements to deal with apartheid spatial planning that kept people away from economic opportunities.

To apply for Townlands Social Housing Project visit Housing Company Tshwane, 310 Pretorius Street Pretoria or call 012 358 4469 for more information.

Minister Kubayi thanked the three spheres of government for working together with beneficiaries, contractors, and community leaders to be able to deliver this beautiful project.

“Our focus will also be on an exit strategy for the tenants as we don’t want them to remain tenants forever.”

On Tuesday, the Minister and MEC Maile handed over 48 houses at Helderwyk Extension 8, an Integrated Development Programme (IRDP), consisting of 412 walk-up BNG units in Brakpan, Ekurhuleni. They also issued title deeds to Tsakane township residents, as a guarantee to landownership to deserving beneficiaries. Residents were cautioned not to sell their homes but rather give them back to the government for a handover to another beneficiary.

The issuance of title deeds and newly built homes is in line with Government’s plans to fast track the process of providing decent accommodation for the citizens and to restore the dignity of home owners by providing security of tenure.

Media Enquiries:

Hlengiwe Nhlabathi-Mokota, Spokesperson for Ministry of Human Settlements on 064 754 8426 or Castro Ngobese, MEC’s Spokesperson on 060 997 7790

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

Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi together with Free State Premier Mxolisi Dukwana and MEC for COGTA and Human Settlements Ketso Makume will tommorow, 16 April 2024, hand over newly built homes, serviced sites, and title deeds to beneficiaries in Parys and Deneysville in the Fezile Dabi District Municipality, Free State.

Since 1994, millions of houses have been delivered to deserving and qualifying beneficiaries, thus building better communities.

Refengkhotso, Deneysville Housing project, where homes will be handed over to beneficiaries, is expected to yield more than 2614 units once completed.

The visit will include a community imbizo where 100 title deeds will be handed over to beneficiaries of BNG homes. This forms part of the Title Deeds Restoration Programme launched in September 2023.

The Executive Mayors of Fezile Dabi District Municipality Cllr Dennis Khasudi, Metsimaholo Local Municipality Cllr Jack Malindi, and Ngwathe Local Municipality Cllr De Beer will also attend. The event will happen as follows:

TITLE DEEDS AND SITES HANDOVER Date: Tomorrow, 16 April 2024 Time: 09:00 Venue: Schonkeville Community Hall, Ngwathe Local Municipality (Ward 13)

BRICK LAYING AND INSPECTION OF HOUSES Time: 10:30 Venue: Zamdela, Sasolburg, Metsimaholo Local Municipality

HANDOVER OF HOUSES, COMMUNITY IMBIZO AND SERVICE FAIR Venue: Refengkgotso Community Hall, Deneysville, Metsimaholo Local Municipality Time: 11h30

For R.S.V.P contact Bontle Molatedi on 064 391 3818/ bontle@fshs.gov.za or Teboho Montse on 082 886 6721 Teboho.Montse@dhs.gov.za

Media Enquiries:

Hlengiwe Nhlabathi-Mokota, Spokesperson for Ministry of Human Settlements on 064 754 8426 or MEC Spokesperson Athenkosi Mabona on 082 443 9749

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

Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubay together with the MEC for Human Settlements in Gauteng, Lebogang Maile, will on Wednesday, 17 March 2024, launch the two social housing projects in the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality and Merafong City Local Municipality, respectively.

The Ekhaya Gardens, with a total of 333 units, is close to Roodepoort Central Business District, while Fochville Social Housing on the other hand, with a capacity of 258 units, is strategically placed within the mining and industrial sectors of the greater West Rand Municipality.

The two social housing projects will both provide much-needed decent, and affordable rental accommodation to people earning between R1850 and R22 000 per month. The launch of these projects comes a few days after the successful launch of the largest social project, Townlands situated in Marabastad, Tshwane.

The programme includes the handover new homes to qualifying beneficiaries subsidized government homes, ahead of convening an Imbizo with community members, where title deeds will be issued to beneficiaries. The Ministerial delegation will be representative of all three spheres of government, including Executive Mayors and MMCs of the affected municipalities.

Members of the media are invited as follows: Date: Wednesday, 17 April 2024 Activity 1: Handover of Ekhaya Gardens Social Housing Project Time: 07h30 Venue: 80 Harry Road, Vlakvoeltjie, Princess Plots

Activity 2: Launch of Fochville Social Housing Project Time: 10h00 Venue: Fochville Social Housing Project, Cnr Nkoala and Kerk Streets, Fochville

Activity 4: Community Engagement and Title Deeds Handover Time: 11h30 Venue: Dan Tloome Mega Human Settlements Project

There will be opportunities for media engagements. RSVP: Tebogo.mosima@dhs.gov.za or 072 171 1021

Media Enquiries:

Hlengiwe Nhlabathi-Mokota, Spokesperson for Ministry of Human Settlements on 064 754 8426 or Castro Ngobese, MEC’s Spokesperson on 060 997 7790

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