The dream of owning a home finally came true for 62-year-old Nonkosi Koom and 23 other beneficiaries in Red Location, Gqeberha, recently.
After more than three decades of living in shacks without the right to their own land or property, these residents were overjoyed to receive keys to brand-new homes.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor, Councillor Babalwa Lobishe, officially handed over the houses during an uplifting ceremony. The 24 houses marked a remarkable milestone in the Red Location Project, which seeks to address the historical housing imbalances in the area. A total of 171 houses will eventually be built as part of this initiative, which also forms part of the broader development of the iconic Red Location Museum precinct.
“This is a confirmation that the current government keeps its promises,” Lobishe said during the handover event. “We were here four years ago to brief you about this project, and we have walked this long journey with you all the way. Today, we begin delivering with 24 houses, and many more will follow under the R14 million budget allocation.”
According to the municipal spokesperson, Sithembiso Siyaya, the project, originally set to be completed by September 2024, faced delays due to collaborative consultations about house designs and sizes, as well as challenges in obtaining subsidies for joint applications. “However, the municipality remains committed to fulfilling its goals,” he said.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Lobishe urged them to take pride in and care for their new homes: “Now that we have kept our part of the deal, please take care of these houses as they will now be your responsibility.”
For Koom, the handover was a life-changing moment. Having lived in shacks and moved multiple times due to unsafe living conditions, she now has a place to call her own. “I will now own a property and have a title deed for the first time in my life,” an excited Koom said. “I kept the faith that one day I would get a house, and now that day has come.”
Despite the joy and progress, challenges remain for the municipality. Member of the Mayoral Committee for Human Settlements, Councillor Thembinkosi Mafana, acknowledged ongoing efforts to secure additional funding from the Provincial and National government to complete the project. “We will continue to deliver houses in a manner that reflects both a heart and a human face,” said Mafana. “In every project we undertake, we aim to prioritise the vulnerable, including the elderly, physically challenged, child-headed households, and other at-risk groups,” he concluded.
