To this end, they have, on the back of their own successful employee housing support programme, partnered with Johannesburg’s Department of Human Settlements, and building contractor Tawana Business Projects, to expand avenues to provide support.
Ngwenazi Mabunda, a 67-year-old pensioner who has lived in Ivory Park since 1991 when the town was first established, had been living in appalling conditions. He was selected as a beneficiary of the housing initiative because he was listed as a potential beneficiary of the low cost RDP housing scheme, and was in need of immediate assistance.
PPC’s Francie Shonhiwa said he had the privilege of handing over a house on behalf of the partnership to Mabunda.
Malebo Magasa of Tawana Business Projects said, “This initiative is in line with the work that we do and also forms part of our company initiative which has also been donating houses to communities.”
The City of Johannesburg’s Irene Mokoena said, “The City of Johannesburg has promised our community better quality houses that will enhance their lives. The beneficiary was very pleased to have such a house and the community of Ivory Park was very happy for what PPC had done for our elderly people.”
A proud, quiet man, Mabunda had kept himself isolated from the community and his neighbours because he was embarrassed of his living conditions. He was overjoyed by his new home and said, “PPC is number one!”
His one neighbour, Henrietta Vilakazi, said it has been years since she has seen Mabunda this energetic. “I am very grateful to PPC, as I believe this will allow him to come out of his shell and mingle with the rest of the community now,” she said.
Mabunda said, “I am grateful to PPC for my new home. I can now walk with my head held high and easily converse with other members of the community as I no longer feel ashamed.”
“At PPC, we believe that it is our obligation to help guarantee that all members of society are able to live in a secure home with dignity,” said PPC Group CSI manager, Francie Shonhiwa.
“PPC is a national company and is doing work in other provinces. We believe in spreading these opportunities to others like Mabunda, as this is vital to developing communities.”
