In celebrating the International Nelson Mandela Day, the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs Gaoage Oageng Molapisi led a successful handover of a newly built house with furniture to 100 year-old Bele Martha Nkatiso of Vrischgewaagt village in Tswaing Local Municipality.
The handover marked a special tribute to the struggle icon Nelson Mandela and highlights government’s commitment to improving the lives of its most vulnerable citizens.
The fully furnished house is as a result of a successful government and private sector partnership aimed at addressing housing backlogs as well as strengthening relations between the two sectors to deliver affordable housing and enhance social change.
MEC Molapisi said the gesture is inspired by the call Tata Mandela made which is for everyone to take action in addressing the world’s social injustices. “Today is a day of giving back and making a difference in the lives of our communities, this is exactly what Nelson Mandela stood for, which is to give back in a way which changes the lives of our people.
It is for that reason that as the government we saw it fit to bring joy in the face of Martha Nkatiso and her family”.
“We are happy to see that she’s lived up to a 100 years, we are happy to have used this day with the people we’ve collaborated with to give you a house where you can live comfortably, safely and without worry,” said MEC Molapisi.
Receiving keys to the house, Martha Nkatiso gave gratitude to the department and stakeholders for building her family a house, she said this will mark a significant improvement in their living conditions as they have lived in a dilapidated shack divided into two sleeping areas, living space and kitchen.
“I thank the Lord for answering my prayers. I have longed for a proper home, and today, my dream has come true”.
In addition to the furnished house, Martha Nkatiso also received food parcels, blankets and toiletries courtesy of various stakeholders who responded to the call and played their part in honour of Nelson Mandela.
MEC Molapisi was accompanied by the Heads of Department for Human Settlements and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Kgomotso Mahlobo and Dr Ben Bole respectively,
departmental officials and representatives from the construction companies who assisted with buying materials and building of the house.
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Issued by the Department of Human Settlements (North West)
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