![Henrik and Katrina du Toit were ecstatic to become first-time home owners after receiving the keys to their unit from Executive Mayor, Cllr Botha-Guthrie and Minister Madikizela. Henrik and Katrina du Toit were ecstatic to become first-time home owners after receiving the keys to their unit from Executive Mayor, Cllr Botha-Guthrie and Minister Madikizela.](https://www.westerncape.gov.za/sites/www.westerncape.gov.za/files/assets/departments/human-settlements/images/hs-minister-pearlybeach-handover-15042014.jpg)
On Tuesday, 15 April a jubilant crowd awaited Minister Madikizela ahead of a ceremonial handover of four houses in Eluxolweni, Pearly Beach.
The four houses form part of a complement of 183 units that will be delivered upon completion on 10 May, with a budget of close to R20 million.
The principle aim of the project is to create an integrated development according to the “Breaking New Ground (BNG) policy that primarily provides for subsidy housing and serviced sites to low-income generating communities such as Eluxolweni.
In his keynote address the Minister urged beneficiaries to look after their houses and stated, “It is your responsibility from this point on to maintain your homes and ensure that you have a worthy legacy to leave to your children in time to come.” He also pointed out that the project had provided job creation and empowerment for the community through the employment of local labour. Community workers were further employed to assist the housing administration of the Overstrand Municipality in surveying informal areas, reconciling against waiting lists and ultimately processing applications for subsidy approvals.
The Department of Human Settlements and the Overstrand Municipality aims to eradicate all informal areas in Pearly Beach. To this end, the project has successfully relocated and housed families who were previously living under appalling circumstances. As beneficiary Hendrik Du Toit stated, “To finally have a decent house to call my own is a joy I cannot describe. For the first time my family and I are looking forward to the winter months as we will no longer suffer under leaking roofs and flooding in the area.”
Zalisile Mbali
Spokesman for Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela
Tel: 021 483 4798
Cell: 078 600 7729
E-mail: zalisile.mbali@westerncape.gov.za