Ten new homes handed over in Douglas as part of R1bn housing initiative

THE NORTHERN Cape MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta), Bentley Vass, handed over the keys to 10 newly built houses that form part of the Dalton 100 Housing Project in Douglas on November 25.

The initiative forms part of the R1 billion presidential project that was launched in January 2024 to address housing backlogs in the Northern Cape.

Vass, who was accompanied by the mayor of Siyancuma Local Municipality, Patrick McKlein, and the Speaker, Johannes George, said he was satisfied with the quality of the houses.

“We continue to call on all our contractors across the province to speed up the pace of building these houses, so that more beneficiaries can receive keys to their houses for security and comfort,” added the MEC.

He indicated that construction work was continuing on the Dalton 100 Housing Project, along with many others across the province, as part of the R1 Billion Housing Project.

“The department’s approach is to hand over completed houses as soon as they are ready, to avoid vandalism, while work continues to build the rest of the houses across all projects,” Vass said.

An 81-year-old beneficiary, Sanna Letele, said she was delighted to receive the keys to her new home.

“I am happy today because my children, three grandchildren and I now have a proper roof over our heads, and we will be moving out of this shack.”

Another beneficiary, Frans Smit, 70, stated that his 28-year wait for a government-sponsored house had finally become a reality.

“I will be able to move into my new home with my wife, two children and two grandchildren,” he said.

Meanwhile, the ANC, DA, EFF, PA and independent candidate Danfrid Herald Morolong will contest the by-election to be held in Ward 5 of Siyancuma Municipality on November 26.

The ward became vacant following the resignation of the councillor.