Minister Madikizela's Address at the Handover of High-Density Housing Units

I want to thank everyone for helping build these houses. Everything we do is with taxpayers' money, and you the people have given us a lot of responsibility to build these houses for you. When we work together, as government and community, we are able to do good work.

The delivery of houses is not a political issue and must not be used for political purposes. Whatever issues political leaders have must not affect the people of the communities. Housing is a social issue, and the government must make sure houses are provided for people who really need them. The houses are for South Africans, and getting a house doesn't depend on the political party they support.

There is backlog of 500 000 houses in the Western Cape. The people getting houses today belong to the lucky few who are getting houses. It is very important for people who get houses to take responsibility to maintain the houses, to fix the doors if they are broken and the roof if it's leaking. Once you become a homeowner, you must take responsibility to maintain the houses. Its no longer the responsibility of the government.

I am happy that today we are handing over houses that talk directly to our strategic objectives of maximum use of resources and creating integrated and sustainable settlements. We are doing this by providing quality high-density houses, the first of their kind in the Southern Cape.

Today is a day to celebrate with the beneficiaries. Whoever gets a house is very lucky today, and my message to you is to take good care of your new houses. Today this gives hope to everyone still waiting that their turn is coming.

About the Project
Phase 1, of 265 units, has been completed, and 52 high-density units have been constructed in Phase 2. The high-density units are the first of their kind in the Southern Cape and are significant in creating a denser settlement. Higher-density settlements fulfill one of the department's strategic objectives of maximum use of resources, and are important in creating integrated and sustainable settlements.

The housing project consists of four sections: Qolweni, Gaatjie, Bossiesgif and Pinetree. The project is being developed in four phases. Phase 1 is 265 units, Phase2 415 units, Phase 3 290 units and Phase 4 450 units.