All smiles as Kagiso families get their RDP houses
Residents in Kagiso finally have a place to live after so many years as many RDP houses were handed over recently.
Several families in Kagiso Extension 13 have every reason to smile after they finally received their RDP houses on August 16.
According to Statistics South Africa, more than one million RDP houses are eligible for use. The government has been building RDP houses since 1994, however, in some instances, RDP housing delivery led to violent conflicts within communities due to people not receiving the homes that were promised to them. Research by Stats SA in 2000 also found that only 30% of new houses complied with building regulations and critics noted that new housing schemes were not up to standard in their planning and layout.
However, for the families of Kagiso, this did not matter as they finally have a place to live after so many years of waiting.
Ntsonyane Mqwena, who is among the beneficiaries who applied for RDP housing in 2013, said he has been living without a home for 10 years but was very ecstatic when he finally got his new home.
“The application process for RDP housing is crazy but I’m happy that Human Settlement has finally answered my prayers and given me a home.”
Another beneficiary, Kgadifeli Monoko said she applied for RDP housing in 2008 and was ecstatic to finally move into her new home.
“I applied for a home before, and had to fight with officials just to provide a safe environment for my family, I’m happy now that I get to have a place where my family can be safe.”
Many families were satisfied with their new homes and hope that other RDP applicants will get their homes soon.
