On Monday, 28 September 2015, the Chairperson of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Human Settlements Directorate, Cllr Novuyiselelo Thontsi, and ANC Chief Whip, Cllr Litho Suka, restored the dignity of a physically challenged local Veeplaas resident, Phumla Fente, who had been staying in a shack for more than 15 years.
The handover was part of Constituency Monday: Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Chief Whip, Councillor Litho recently reinstated Constituency Monday, in terms of which the NMBM Mayoral Committee, accompanied by municipal officers, will allocate Mondays to visit all areas of the city to inspect challenges and conditions at first hand and accelerate service delivery in the city.
Handing over the new house, Human Settlement Portfolio Chairperson Cllr Nomvuselelo Thontsi said,”It is a great pleasure to hand over this house to Mama Fente today. When we visited this area during the by-election campaign, we noticed that Mama Fente needed a decent place to live. Fortunately, our policies prioritise people with disabilities. So we met with HDA, an implementing agency for the National Human Settlements Department, requested them to prioritise the physically challenged resident. Fortunately HDA responded positively to our request. This is the beginning of many houses that will build in the Metro for the physically challenged and the vulnerable – as we all know, our city is rated Number One in housing delivery in the country.
Addressing the residents, the Chief Whip Cllr Litho Suka said, “As government we are here today to bring dignity to this extraordinary woman. We are a government that brings change to people lives. Every Monday, we will bring change in terms of Constituency Day, focusing on creating a better life for all. This house has a bathroom and all amenities and special features to suit the beneficiary.”
HDA Nicholas Tsewu said, “People should persevere. We know that people have been waiting for houses, but they must just hang in there – we are going to build houses for everyone in terms of the housing programme.”
An overwhelmed beneficiary Phumla Fente could not hold back her tears, said “I inherited this shack from my mother, never dreaming that I would ever own a real home. I am ecstatic and thank God and the municipality. Today, I will sleep in my own house. Today, my dream has come true.For the first time in my life I am walking into my own house. I will be moving in with four of my family members that I shared a one bedroom shack with.”
Later on the same day the Executive Mayor, Councillor Danny Jordan delivered a temporary house to the Rockman Family in Schauderville where one of their family members died in a fire accident recently.
NMB Communications
Latest posts by NMB Communications (see all)
- Join The Celebration - 26 February 2025
- 6 Municipal Employees Supended - 15 January 2025
- Fishwater Flats Wastewater Treatment Plant Work Progressing Well - 10 January 2025
- Kliprand Protest Brings Action - 7 January 2025
- Mayor Tells Us Why We Had a Successful Festive Season in Nelson Mandela Bay - 6 January 2025
