JOY FOR DELFT’S NEW HOMEOWNERS
Beneficiaries in Delft receive houses from the city
THERE was joy and jubilation in Delft, a township on the outskirts of Cape Town when 24 beneficiaries received their keys to newly built houses, part of the state-subsidised Breaking New Ground (BNG) homes.
The mayoral committee member for Human Settlements, councillor Malusi Booi, visited some of the beneficiaries at their homes and gave them roses, to coincide with Valentine’s Day.
Pensioner Nonceba Mxenge, 92, and Nomfundiso Zele, 64, have been living in their new houses since November, and also received a new bed each.
“These are my favourite flowers. I like them very much. Flowers bring good luck,” said Mxenge.
Zele said she was grateful for her house and bed. She added that it was the first time she had received a rose.
Charlene Skippers, who is a single mother of three, was living in a backyard in Delft when she received the good news on her birthday, two days ago, that her house was ready.
“I have never been so overwhelmed before, and I feel so blessed. This is the best birthday present,” she said.
Booi said it was heart-warming to see the joy on the beneficiaries’ faces when they received their keys.
“Today, our beneficiaries and their families can celebrate as they begin a new chapter in their lives. This is a chapter of security as now they have a place that they can call home, and it belongs to them.
“It is also a chapter of empowerment as they now own property for the first time in their lives.”
“We remind our new property owners that they are responsible for their homes. We therefore encourage them to make responsible decisions, including the maintenance and upkeep of their homes as well as ensuring the security of their assets for their loved ones in future by including them in their wills,” said Booi.
Over the coming months, more qualifying beneficiaries will receive their own homes as part of the city’s commitment to provide 2 400 BNG houses in the area.
The remaining phase, which is under construction, will provide 2 112 housing opportunities. Thus far, approximately 200 houses have been handed over in this phase.