Work is continuing apace on phase two of the much-awaited housing project adjacent to Sibongile.
Phase one, which comprised 198 new ‘RDP’ homes on the so-called buffer strip number two, has been completed.
Alex Kirstein, Mazcon site agent, said phase two at extension 18 includes 244 houses.
The site is abuzz with work with 67 Mazcon workers – of which 15 are local – and 90 sub contractors are knuckling down in a bid to finish the project by March next year.
Mr Kirstein said getting the building material was one of the biggest challenges, but the situation has improved since local suppliers, in the form of Braytons, have been used.

“We are happy with Braytons and glad to support local.
“Sadly, vandalism and theft of air vents, window frames and other materials are continuing despite many appeals from the Mayor and the authorities for the public to please report offenders.
“Vandalism and theft is just delaying our efforts to supply these homes which people have been eagerly waiting for. We do have guards but the budget we have been given does not allow us to post as many guards as we would like to, to cover the entire site. If we had to do that we would need anything up to 50 guards,” he said.
Twenty homes have been handed over already. “We are not handing over house per house this time, but rather block by block so residents are not part of any continuing building operations.”
Each house does have a water connection but electricity and fencing are for the new owner’s own account. Each home is painted a different colour – as per the beneficiaries’ wishes – to improve the aesthetics of the project.
Mr Kirstein said the quality of the homes was put to a severe test on October 10 when a powerful windstorm wrought destruction in the Endumeni area. “Thankfully, not one of these houses lost a roof or a wall,” he smiled.