Emaxesibeni housing pilot project restores resident's dignity

The Umzimvubu municipality is investing heavily in an Emaxesibeni pilot project for housing in a bid to help national government meet the high demand for rural homes.

The pilot project, which has been welcomed by Umzimvubu mayor Sobane Mnukwa, has already seen the construction of three houses for beneficiaries who were identified by the municipality.

The beneficiaries are in ward 2 in Nkanji Village, ward 15 in Njijini Village and ward 19 in Mvuzi Village. The recipients say they could not be happier.

The Umzimvubu municipality has invested more than R500,000 in the pilot project.

Each home is fitted with its own water tank, negating the need for beneficiaries to travel long distances to fetch water.

Mnukwa said since the municipality fell under local government, it was obliged to align with Section 26 of the constitution, which states that everyone has a right to adequate housing, and the state has to implement reasonable legislative and other measures within its available resources to achieve the progressive realisation of this right.

“This means adequate shelter is provided to deserving citizens.

“The municipality saw the need to urgently intervene in the particular case of these families and provide decent living conditions,” Mnukwa said.

One of the beneficiaries, Nomalanga Mnyaka, of Nkanji Village, said her life had changed for the better as a result of the initiative.

“My dignity has been restored,” she said.

The unemployed mother had been living in a dilapidated mud structure with her sister and six children for many years.

“I feel very happy because things will not be the way they were.

“We were struggling and it was painful living in a house that leaks when it rains.

“Now it can rain any day and I will feel comfortable. The rain can fall for as long it wants.”

Mnukwa said the aim of the pilot project was to provide sustainable housing to indigent households.

“I was in Nkanji Village to inspect the work we have done.

“The aim of this project is to assist the department of human settlements, which recognises the potential of building these houses on our own as a municipality,” Mnukwa said.

“We are seeing the desperate need for housing in our wards, especially among poor families.

“As Umzimvubu we want our people to put their trust in us.

“We want this project to start in the areas where there are no RDP houses.

“We have identified three wards and we are satisfied with the standards of the houses.”

This initiative is in partnership with the Umzimvubu Municipality