UPDATE: New homes for Etete pensioners
Cold, dark tin shacks will soon be replaced with a cosy three bedroomed home for three pensioners in Etete.
James Jabren (71), Moypathie Jagganath (77) and Kamla Bagello (76) have spent 30 years living in mould-filled shacks that are falling apart.
Two of the seniors are on a waiting list for RDP houses from KwaDukuza municipality’s phase four Etete housing project. However, phase one has not yet begun and with no set timeline, it may take years.
After the North Coast Courier reported on their living conditions two months ago, local and even international citizens sprung into action and donated furnitures, food, and building materials collected for repairs.
However, project coordinator Peter van Wijk said while the groceries have been welcome, the repairs to the two shacks were unsuccessful due to the structure being badly damaged.
The plan now is to build two three bedroomed homes out of brick and mortar by January next year.
“The shacks are badly damaged. The plan was to completely rebuild the first shack since we could hardly get a nail in to repair it. The delay came with the first shack where the owner was based in Johannesburg and we had to wait for ownership and property details, which we now have.
“The donated furniture is in storage as the elements would damage it and the existing structures offer little protection to the people or the furniture.
“The second shack looked to be in a better condition and we started work on that first. We had the dogs spayed, a fence put up and finally, we were going to put up a new roof and fix whatever problems there were in the interior. We found out a week ago that the existing structure would not be strong enough to hold the new roof.”
A wendy house was erected two months ago as a bedroom for two of the pensioners when it rains.
The plans to build two, three bedroom houses with a kitchen, indoor toilet and bathroom as well as an open plan living area is in the process of being passed by council.
Some building material has already been donated, while plumbers, building contractors and electricians have committed their time to the project.
People who are willing to donate building materials toward the project can drop off at Chapman Building in Foxhill or donate to an account that has been set up at MICA.
- Acc Name: BBS Ballito
- Bank: FNB
- Branch: Durban Main Branch
- Branch Code: 221426
- Account Number: 62089397692
- Reference number: ZBA323
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