eMZINONI – The first phase of the new Community Residential Units in Freedom Square were handed over to residents after problems on site where existing residents refused to be relocated elsewhere and give access to the contractor to complete the outstanding work.
Ms Violet Siwela, MEC for the Mpumalanga Department of Human Settlements, handed over these units on Thursday, 9 October.
The department began upgrading the eMzinoni Hostels during the 2009/10 financial year to deliver 176 family units.
The project value is about R100 million and was implemented in phases wherein a total number of 78 units were completed in 2010.
Ms Siwela said the department has ensured that the units were of quality and safe to live in.
“The project was unblocked and issues were resolved in the 2013/14 financial year between the residents and all affected stakeholders.
“Through extensive stakeholder engagement, the department managed to relocate households that gave access to the contractor.”
The second phase of the project will continue during the 2015/2016 financial year in order to complete the remaining 98 units.
Govan Mbeki Housing has been assigned to manage the units.
The households were also given title deeds by Ms Siwela.
The title deeds are important as they allow beneficiaries to access finance from financial institutions for renovations and funding for business opportunities.
“Acquiring a title deed enables a beneficiary to have the house as an asset and it offers a sense of pride and belonging.
“In the municipality’s perspective, property ownership compels the owner to pay municipal rates and services received, thereby contributing to its ongoing financial viability and economic sustainability.
“Beneficiaries will now be able to use their title deeds to improve their dwellings, to acquire household goods and make use of capital borrowing against their properties and to begin small businesses.
“In essence, their households can also be used as an asset to build wealth.
“Beneficiaries will use the title deeds as a legal document that reflects the ownership of their properties,” said Ms Siwela.
