Mr Wilson Munyai from Mavadla village and Mrs Sabina Tembe from Xitlhelani village were grateful beyond words when they were each handed the keys to their own newly built, fully furnished RDP houses on Thursday, 17 August. Munyai and Tembe are among 428 fortunate beneficiaries within the Collins Chabane Municipality to receive proper housing.
The MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA), MEC Basikopo Makamu, did the honours. He was accompanied by Collins Chabane Mayor Shadrack Maluleke and representatives of other key stakeholders.
The two happy beneficiaries had been living in small houses, built of low-quality material and threatening imminent collapse, before they received their new houses.
Munyai (28), who had lived in a shack with his wife and four-year-old child, said: "I am delighted that we now have a decent house to live in. The department has really made life easier for us with this permanent living arrangement in our new home. There is enough space now. I feel like a ton of bricks have been lifted from me," he said.
MEC Makamu also thanked Ms Leah Matlala of Somandla Trading in Polokwane for building the two houses. "In recognition of Women's Month, we have decided to recognise the work done by our esteemed female contractor (Matlala) by handing houses to the less fortunate in our communities that were built by her company. Our department is well known for excelling in the national government's mandate to provide opportunities for our female contractors to thrive in this previously male-led industry," said MEC Makamu.