Pensioner in desperate need of a home

A 72-year-old Marburg woman is waiting for a place to call home – she is one of many South Africans living in limbo for years, waiting for a house from the government.

Ranji Konar has never been married and worked most of her life as a checker at a clothing factory until her eyesight deteriorated.

Konar lived with her sister in her home for several years until her death. Now, she has to leave the house as the property doesn’t belong to her.

“I am looking for a place to rent as I will have to move out from my sister’s house soon. For the past 30 years, and before the ANC won the first democratic elections, I applied for housing and was never lucky to receive one. There are so many people like me who are in need of help and a place to live, but time is running out for me; where do I go?” she asked.

Ward 17 councillor Ajith Rajaram said many in Marburg, Merlewood and other areas are in need of housing.

“It is sad to see our pensioners go down this road. Some of them have worked many years locally and weren’t lucky to receive a state house. I have addressed the need for more state housing for residents. On paper, there is a commitment to provide housing for all. However, in reality, the pace of delivery has not kept up with the growing demand, resulting in an enormous backlog, ” said Rajaram.

Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) is aware of the demand for low-cost housing, particularly among vulnerable groups, such as the elderly.

“We currently have a number of low-cost housing projects under implementation as well as others in various stages of planning. All these initiatives are outlined in RNM’s Human Settlements Sector Plan,” said spokesperson Nomusa Zulu.

“We do acknowledge the housing backlog, and in response, we encourage all individuals in need of housing assistance to visit our offices in Protea Road, Marburg, to register their details on the National Housing Needs Register (NHNR). This system plays a crucial role in ensuring that needs are accurately recorded and considered in future housing allocations. In cases of emergencies, support may be provided through the Operation Sukuma Sakhe programme. We remain committed to working in collaboration to improve access to adequate housing,” added Zulu.

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