Ithuba CEO, Charmaine Mabuza kicked off the launch of the second housing initiative in time for Christmas to 20 families, delivering keys to new homeowners throughout the country.
The handover began in Vlakfontein, South of Johannesburg where three newly built houses were unveiled in full glare of the community.
The initiative partnered with the Disabled People South Africa (DPSA) to provide homes for beneficiaries living with disabilities.
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A family from Soloville, in Soweto who are first time home owners, Bellingha Dibodu (48) and Johannas Dibodu (57) walked into their new home after waiting for nearly two decades for a brick and mortar house.
The couple had been sharing a two bedroom and a half shack and were In the process of extending it in order to cater to their three children.
The area had no proper running water or toilets and electricity, making it difficult to access basic needs.
“We now have a place we can call our own. We have wanted to build our own home but the resources just wouldn’t let us,” an elated Bellingha said, entering into her finished home.
The couple described the moment as a dream come true, revealing to Urban News that they had been waiting for a government house since 1999.
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“We have moved around a lot, renting shacks in different locations in Soweto over the years. When we found this place in Slovoville, we started putting up shacks one by one at the time, until we got this life changing news and I could not believe it but it is here. The day is finally here as we enter into our new home,” she added.
Mabuza said in her address the initiative was born to bring hope to communities which was paramount in their quest to provide quality safe housing.
“When you have a home and a roof under your head, you have a lot of things. So it was for that reason, this year again this initiative is for 20 families.
They were chosen from thousands of people who are in need of houses because we have a housing crisis in our country and it is a sad reality that many people will live and die without owning a house.
“It is for this reason we encourage programmes of safe quality shelter for our communities. We always say we must work with communities to build safe and sustainable communities,” she said.
The handover forms part of the housing project which started in 2022 during the KZN floods sponsoring the building of 17 houses in the province and a further two in Gauteng.
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Khoali Makolane who has been wheelchair bound since 2005 could not contain his excitement. He told the publication that he was excited to leave the informal settlement and move into his new home.
“I have dreamt about this for a long time especially being in a wheelchair presented difficulties in the community I was living in, having to rely on people to get around but today I will have an easy night of sleep in the new house.”
