Minister Madikizela Delivers Houses to Klapmuts Beneficiaries

On Monday, 31 March the Western Cape Minister of Human Settlements, Bonginkosi Madikizela delivered houses to beneficiaries in the Cape Winelands area of Klapmuts in Stellenbosch.

Police kept a vigilant eye on two groups of DA and ANC supporters who were in attendance to ensure the event would not be marred by political rivalry.  After a brief ceremony at the Klapmuts Primary Hall the Minister, accompanied by Executive Mayor Conrad Sidego, and municipal officials, proceeded to the housing units which were due to be handed over to the beneficiaries concerned.

For Thozama Bangani, who until recently had been living in a shack with her four sons and two brothers for more than 10 years, receiving her first home was a dream come true.  Said Bangani, “Our shack leaks badly and to be given a real brick and mortar house before the rainy season starts is a real blessing.  I am so thankful.”

Another beneficiary, Darius Mdoda was relieved to be putting his existence as a backyard dweller behind him. “I never thought I would ever be a home-owner. But here I am today having just received the key to my front door. Now I don’t have to worry about shack fires or the harsh Cape winters anymore.”

The Klapmuts project has an estimated budget of R120 million and is set to render 1 051 houses upon completion in June this year.  Minister Madikizela stated that he was satisfied with the project as the beneficiaries were made up of people from the area that were mostly farmworkers and could not afford proper houses.  “One of the primary aims of this department is to ensure that poor people’s living conditions are improved by giving them proper houses,” said Madikizela.