Govan Mbeki Municipality won three awards at the provincial Govan Mbeki Awards hosted by the Mpumalanga Department of Human Settlement at eMalahleni City Hall recently.
Govan Mbeki Municipality scooped up awards for:
• The best finance linked individual subsidy project
• The best performing accredited municipality Level 1
• The best community residential housing project
The Govan Mbeki Awards are aimed at promoting a culture of excellence in the human settlement sector in the delivery of quality human settlements and dignity to communities.
The awards are named after Govan Mbeki to acknowledge the role he had played and the vision he had regarding the preservation of human dignity and the provision of human settlements for all.
The Human Settlements head, Mr Kebone Masange, said the department cannot in any way fail or compromise its services and that is why there is such a concerted effort to ensure that houses of good quality are built.
“This sector is more complex that anyone could ever know. There is so much that comes with it and everything must be done in the right way.”
Despite appraising much of the good work that has been done, Mr Masange also took a swipe at underperforming contractors and said the department would not give anyone any blanket in case they fail to deliver on time, but will send them straight out into the cold.
“It is proper for us to appreciate good service, however that does not mean we should not point out any sloppy work done and such would not be left unpunished.”
Mr Speedy Mashilo, MEC of Human Settlements, said the provision of houses is biased towards needy beneficiaries and that RDP houses are meant for the elderly, child-headed families and people living with disabilities.
“We must go back to the basics. Young men should not expect of Government to build houses for them, they should work hard and build houses for their families.”
The provincial winners will represent the province at the National Govan Mbeki Awards in November.
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