Flood victims moving to a safer place

Victims of the 2019 Mamelodi floods now have a place to call home, as the city of Tshwane continues the massive task of relocating them.

ActionSA Tshwane Regional Chairperson, Cllr. Derrick Mahlangu, conducted an oversight visit and spoke to residents as they continue to settle in and rebuild.
The aim of the oversight visit was to check the readiness of the land and the relocation process, as well as the sanitation facilities provided.

“This is public demonstration that the Multi-Party Government of Tshwane is decisive in its commitment to deliver services, especially to those that have been long forgotten and to restore dignity and hope,” said Mahlangu.

Residents were happy about being relocated.

Thabiso Mathebe (40) said the relocation process is moving smoothly, and finally she is excited about relocation to a safer place and permanent stand with her future husband and children.

Mathebe said they had been staying at K54 informal settlement for years and in a small tin shack with no privacy.

“We are going to build our dream home on a spacious stand,” said Mathebe.

“We are thankful for the leaders who made sure that the relocation process goes smoothly, not rushing us and keep up the good work.”

John Khoza (31), who had lived at K54 informal settlement for 15 years, said he was excited to be finally moving to a safer place.

Khoza said life at an informal settlement was not easy, every day is a struggle.

“We are very thankful for what our councillor has done for us.

“We are hoping we are going to get better service, especially on water and electricity,” said Khoza.

Nokuthula Matsobane (29) said she was excited and is going to build a home for her children.

She said she hoped for better service delivery for everyone.

Another resident relocating to Pienaarspoort, Suzeka Mxakatho, said the relocation process has brought job opportunities for unemployed residents, especially the youth.

She said the process has given her the opportunity to work and put food on the table for her children.

Mxakatho said she has found employment as an assistant in the relocation process, and when she gets paid, she will buy Christmas clothes for her children and get something for her new permanent home.

She thanked the ward councillor for creating job opportunities for the youth of Phomolong.

Mahlangu said the people being relocated are the 2019 flood victims, and other areas affected by the flood, including the people from Region 5

The relocation process has been going very well according to the phases as planned.

He said the land was donated by the province to the city of Tshwane for flood victims in regions 5 and 6.

“The only complaint we have so far received was the issue of roads and beneficiaries struggling to get water because the trucks had already left when they arrived, but we are resolving the issue of water,” said Mahlangu.

He added that in a nutshell, people are happy to move to serviced permanent stands, which is going to be a good community.

The relocation process started in December after the site was cleared for more than 5 000 serviced stands for the benefit of Mamelodi flood victims and residents of other informal settlements, including Eerste Fabrieke, Soul City, Phomolong, and Region 5.

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