13 August 2000
SPEECH BY KWAZULU-NATAL MEC FOR HOUSING, DUMISANI MAKHAYE AT THE LAUNCH OF THE MKHUZE "HOUSES FOR FLOOD VICTIMS" PROJECT
The Monday of April 17 this year must rate as one of the days when I was at my angriest state. I was on a tour to inspect a housing project in the Mkhukhwini area here in Mkhuze. Instead of finding houses, I found toilets masquerading as houses, dwellings not fit to house human beings. I immediately summoned the developer of those houses to our offices in order to explain how such structures could be built.
On top of that I discovered that families who had been victims of late last year's floods were living in a tent camp in terrible conditions. As a result ten of the survivors had succumbed to the malaria fever that is prevalent in this area. I was also informed about the problem of acquiring land where a housing project to house the flood victims might be started. When I left the tent camp I promised that I was going to lobby government at national level to avail funds to buy land and start a housing project as a matter of urgency.
Indeed I approached my sisters at national level, the National Minister of Housing, Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele and National Minister of Land Affairs, Thoko Didiza. Knowing the plight of our people, these two Ministers did not let the people of Mkhuze down. Indeed the National Minister of Housing has already availed R8 million for this project and we hope that building will start at the beginning of September.
Most of you are aware that we had a problem relating to land and there were times it looked as if this would never be resolved. However, I am happy to report that we are currently negotiating with a local landowner Mr Charl Senekal to sell us 29 hectares of land and I am positive that soon a deal is going to be clinched. I must commend Mr Senekal for putting the interest of the homeless people first and agreeing to sell the land to us. It is only through the selflessness of people like Mr Senekal that we can better the lives of our people.
The National Department of Land Affairs has agreed to avail money to purchase the land once the deal is done.
The R8 million from the Department of Housing will help build 218 double housing units which will house 436 families. The units will be 70 square metres, split into two and separated by a wall, with each family getting a 35 square metre house which is more than the 30 square metre minimum size set down in the housing Norms and Standards.
Where it is possible, we will ensure that it is beneficiaries from the same family who share the 70 square metre dwelling in order to avoid squabbles. Each house will have full waterbone sewerage and piped water.
The developer who will undertake this development is Mrs Claudette Keene of Fideco Homes. Fideco homes was chosen by the Department because of its good track record and outstanding workmanship. In their first ever starter housing project in Madadeni, Unit K, they used their innovativeness and built one of the best houses in the history of the province's starter housing programme.
Our people have been living in tents, vulnerable to disease and with no privacy for almost a year. It was important, therefore, that in choosing a developer we chose someone whom the communities she had served previously spoke highly of and someone who understood the urgency of the problem the people of Mkhuze are faced with.
The excellent working relations and the caring nature of Mrs Keene convinced us that she was the right person for this project because she would understand the enormity of her task and the urgency surrounding the whole project. Mrs Keene has assured me that during the construction of the houses, as much of local people as is possible will be used to build the houses.
My Department will also second a group of ten artisans and foremen to come and help in the project and also train the locals in various aspects of building. It is always my department's goal that after each and every project people should be left with skills to help them fend for themselves.
The people of this area have suffered a lot in the past months and my Department believes that with this gesture we shall be able to instill dignity and hope in our people.
I thank you.
Issued by: KwaZulu Natal Department of Housing
From: Harry Mchunu
KZN Department of Housing
cell: 082 805 4130