Forty-five modern, quality, three-roomed houses have been built in the far off villages of Xihoko, Rikhotso, Mookho Block 6 and 7 by the Provincial Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs.
One of the beneficiaries of these first of its kind houses, with tile roofs and electrical wiring, a pensioner, Masokisi Crown Malabela of Mookho Block 6, said he is relieved and happy his family finally has a proper roof over their heads. Malabela, his wife and a disabled son were staying in a dilapidated thatched roof rondavel belonging to their neighbours.
“I have been on the waiting list for over 20 years and every time there were housing allocations, I was overlooked by the previous ward councilors,” recalled Malabela.
He thanked the current ward councilor, Mavis Mapitja, for making sure that he got a decent house and also thanked the contractor, Lesley Maake, for completing the house within a short period of time.
Another beneficiary, Candy Mametja of Xihoko Village, who has seven children, could not hide her excitement on getting a new house. She used to live in a one-room house. Some of her children had to sleep with neighbours because of a lack of space.
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She said despite not getting a house since registering in 2000, she had always attended community meetings to discuss housing. “After being left out during the previous housing allocations, I thought l would never own a decent house,” said Mametja.
She was very happy to receive a donation from the contractor, Lesley Maake, to buy curtains so that she could move into her new house.
“Now my children will no longer be late for school as they will be sleeping at home and I will be able to wake them up in time to prepare,” she said.
A pensioner, Wireless Matswi, who lived alone in a mud structure, said he had given up on inquiring about housing when he received the good news from a ward committee member.
“I was a bit skeptical when I was told I would get a house but within a few days the building commenced.
The councilor and the contractor have made a dream come true,” said Matswi.
He said he was afraid the mud structure was going to collapse on him while sleeping.
Contractor, Lesley Maake, said that after assessing the situation at the beneficiaries’ former homes, he was touched by their plight and took it upon himself to complete the houses as soon as possible.
He expressed his gratitude to community leaders, beneficiaries and the community at large for their cooperation.
