These two poverty-stricken families were part of the 200 families and beneficiaries of new government-subsidised housing units built in Casteel within the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality.

The houses were officially handed over to their rightful owners by Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane and the MEC for human settlements, Speedy Mashilo, on Friday ( August 13).

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“There is no better gift than to receive a fully furnished house. I still can’t believe that we are now proud owners of such a decent house with furniture in it. This house feels like we are being born again and it surely represents new beginnings for me and my siblings,” said Maoko.

She heads a family of five and had been sharing a dilapidated two-roomed house with her siblings. Life has been tough since their parents passed away in 2010, leaving them with nothing. Mtshweni-Tsipane said government will continue to work with willing business individuals in the province to help change and improve the lives of citizens.

“We are here today because of our partnership with a local business person who volunteered to build one of the two houses that we are handing over. We are grateful as government that when we knocked on his door, he was there.

These houses are of good quality and we are glad for the families that they will now live in dignified housing structures,” said Mtshweni-Tsipane.