Minister Delivers Houses to Pine View and Rooidakke Communities in Grabouw

The Western Cape Minister of Human Settlements, Bonginkosi Madikizela handed over the keys to beneficiaries in the Pine View and Rooidakke communities of Grabouw on Thursday, 13 February.

Amongst the beneficiaries in Pine View was 37-year-old Sicelo Lwabi, who is blind and disabled Hezekile Jackson (53) and Nhlonhonho Nozukile (50) who are both reliant on walking aids.

Another recipient was 65-year-old Johanna Saaiman, who was happy to accept the keys to her new home.  “I finally have my own house after being on the waiting list for a long time,” said Saaiman.  

Minister Madikizela urged the beneficiaries to look after their homes.  Madikizela also stated, “While government has provided these houses for free, we need you to meet us half way by paying your rates.”

Where problems such as mold, overflowing drains or lack of ventilators were identified by earlier beneficiaries in the Pine View area, the Minister assured that a team of government officials will be engaged to do an assessment of the situation with the view to remedying the problems highlighted. 

To the beneficiaries of Rooidakke the Minister said, “Our main aim is to ensure that those who’ve been living in shacks until now are housed in decent homes and therefore have a better quality of life. We want you to put your differences aside and help us ensure that development continues.” The Minister had particular praise for the Rooidakke committee for their part in seeing a successful handover of houses.