An 87-year-old beneficiary, Wilbert Mbevana, was among 188 families who received the keys to their brand-new homes at the Chief Albert Luthuli Mega Project, recently.

Overcome with emotion, Mbevana described the moment as surreal. “I feel like I am dreaming,” he said as he stepped into his new home, marking a life-changing milestone after decades of waiting.

The handover ceremony was officiated by the Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, the Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Tasneem Motara, and the Executive Mayor, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza.

The initiative forms part of the Gauteng Provincial Government’s ongoing programme to accelerate the delivery of sustainable human settlements and restore dignity to qualifying beneficiaries through secure home ownership.

The majority of beneficiaries come from the 1996 and 1999 RDP allocation lists, bringing long-awaited relief to families who have been on housing waiting lists for nearly three decades. The development caters to residents from Etwatwa, Daveyton, Wattville and surrounding areas.

ALSO READ: FOLLOW-UP: CoE responds to Actonville housing protest

Motara urged beneficiaries who had been living in shacks in informal settlements to dismantle their structures after relocating to their new homes.

She explained that beneficiaries will be required to sign a “happy letter” confirming receipt of the house.

Thereafter, the municipality will open municipal service accounts, followed by the registration of title deeds.

Motara added that construction at the Chief Albert Luthuli development is ongoing, with more houses set to be built as part of the project’s next phases.

Xhakaza emphasised the importance of responsible homeownership, encouraging residents to pay for municipal services and to apply for indigent support where necessary.

ALSO READ: Criminals are the only beneficiaries of the stagnant Wattville housing project