"I am so grateful to finally have a proper house of my own. I am so proud," said 68-year-old Margaret Saul, who lives at 40 Thembelilhle Street, Elangeni with her two adult grandsons.
The original project, known as the Elageni infill project, involved the construction of 46 subsidised houses scattered over the precinct. Sadly, in a previous municipal contract, 330 subsidised houses were built by various contractors over a three-year period, from 2006 to 2009. At the end of this period, only 284 homes were completed, at which time the contractor went into liquidation.
Following an independent audit initiated by the Department of Human Settlements and undertaken by Royal Haskoning DHV, it was determined that 46 houses were incomplete.
The project manager appointed to complete the 46 houses was Quinton Dreyer from Royal Haskoning DHV, a leading international consultancy, engineering and project management service provider.
"Having this project finally signed off as complete is an extremely enriching experience, not only derived from having worked with the team involved in the project, but also the beneficiaries.
"Since handing over to beneficiaries, we have only seen well-kept houses thus far. People are taking ownership and that is encouraging," Dreyer said during the handover on Tuesday.
Further good news is that the firm also supports the Mossel Bay Municipality's drive to stimulate job creation amongst local communities in the greater Mossel Bay.
This specifically pertains to the new KwaNonqaba People's Housing Project (PHP), referring to another 170 houses to be built. During the handover, the first soy spit of this project was conducted.
The foundations for these will be done by Marnol Projects, with the construction undertaken by 10 local ward-based contractors and subcontractors.
Marnol Projects recently landed an even bigger housing project in the Western Cape, based on their service delivery.
A relieved Boniswa Mqunqudo (76), a beneficiary in the KwaNonqaba PHP, said that she has been waiting for a house for 21 years.
"This is a highlight within my career and a long-awaited milestone," said Executive Mayor Alderlady Ferreira at the soy spit.
"Any subsidised housing project has its own unique challenges, which can only be overcome by collective cooperation, skills and experience.
All the lessons learnt will be incorporated in future housing projects to ensure that the best value for money is provided."
"I am so proud," said Margaret Saul during the official handover of the last completed house in the Elangeni infill project this week. With her are clr Cliffie Bayman, Executive Mayor Marie Ferreira and clr Pinky Mkayo. Photo: Cornelle Carstens
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