The lives of five families in the Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality will be forever changed after the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements handed over new housing units as part of the Nelson Mandela Month commemorations.
This initiative is part of the Chris Hani Destitute 1300 Housing Project, which aims to deliver 350 houses in Dr AB Xuma Municipality. The project focuses on improving living conditions for the district’s most vulnerable residents, including the elderly, disaster-affected households, and those living in extreme poverty.
Ayanda Meleni, a 43-year-old unemployed father of three girls, and one of the beneficiaries, expressed his gratitude during the handover ceremony at Gxogi Village. Overjoyed and emotional, he said, “I am extremely happy; words fail me. I feel so happy, and my children are overjoyed that they will now have a proper home they can be proud of. I give my deepest thanks to the entire government. When it rained, we could not sleep and had to use buckets because the house was leaking.”
Human Settlements MEC Siphokazi Lusithi emphasised that the project reflects the principles of Nelson Mandela by restoring people’s dignity. She reiterated her department’s dedication to improving lives, particularly in rural areas.
“This initiative represents our department’s commitment to upholding the legacy and values of Tata Mandela. We are not merely handing over bricks and mortar; we are also restoring human dignity, one household at a time, particularly for our rural communities. Our mission goes beyond building houses — we are fundamentally transforming lives,” Lusithi said.
She added that the handover event marked a significant step in the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements’ ongoing efforts to reduce the province’s housing backlog and promote sustainable human settlements.
Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality Mayor Siyabulela Zangqa echoed these sentiments, stating that the municipality was joining the five families in celebrating. “This is not just the house of the person it was handed over to, but a family home. The family dignity has now been restored. They must take care of the homes and not sell them, no matter the circumstances. They should not return to the poor conditions they previously lived in, especially during these times of severe floods,” Zangqa said.
