New homeowners overjoyed after long wait

ABOUT 700 beneficiaries have moved into their new homes in the Greenville Garden City development in Fisantekraal – and many expressed their gratitude at not being left in the cold this winter.

Mayco member for Transport and Urban Development, Councillor Brett Herron, on a visit to the site recently, said another 168 units should be completed and handed over to residents by October.

“More than 80% of the beneficiaries of the first phase of the development have already moved into their new homes. This project forms part of greater housing development which will eventually boast approximately 4 000 housing opportunities, social housing, and financed-linked houses,” he said.

“It includes plans for schools, community facilities, public spaces and transport infrastructure. The first phase of this project, is R152 million. Overall, the cost of the 4 000 units will amount to approximately R700m over six years.”

Herron said the development was part of the transit-oriented project which hopes to create housing close to transportation routes and jobs to redress the inequality of the apartheid past. Herron said it was “exciting to share in the joy of empowering some of our most vulnerable residents” after speaking to first-time homeowners Moriat Banzana, 61, and Sheila Kruger, 69, who moved into their new homes in April. Kruger said she was on the housing database for 18 years and lived in a Wendy house before moving into her home.

“All I can say is that it feels great to have my own home; all thanks to God. I am very grateful because I was waiting so long and I sometimes wondered if I would ever get a house,” said Kruger.