New home handover: Vergenoeg residents' plea answered

A Vergenoeg resident, Shadrack Blom, was elated to take occupation of his newly built home that was handed over to him by the United Africans Transformation (UAT) political party in partnership with Tau Projects on October 10.

UAT provincial chairperson Thomas Phuthi said they encountered Blom’s poor living conditions while they were distributing food parcels in Vergenoeg, Galeshewe, in May. 

“The event was attended by the national and provincial leadership, including UAT president Dr Wonder Mahlatsi. We were conducting door-to-door visits where we met Blom, who was living in a dilapidated house for 25 years. The structure was badly cracked and could collapse at any time. You could even see people who were standing outside in the yard through the cracks. Despite promises from high-ranking national government officials to fix his house, no help was forthcoming. We committed to raising funds to reconstruct his home because housing is a right and not a privilege.” 

Phuti indicated that they entered into a collaboration with Tau projects that has built a number of houses for families in need. 

“UAT promised to raise funds to build a new house for him so that he no longer had to live in an unsafe and undignified condition. Each house built is not just a structure, but a declaration that dignity, safety, and secure housing are nonnegotiable rights. At a time when many South Africans still live in precarious and collapsing homes, this partnership demonstrates what is possible when political will and community commitment come together. It is a clear call to action to ensure that no citizen is left behind in the struggle for dignified living.” 

Phuti added that they were committed to assisting more communities in desperate need of decent homes.

“There are more than 80 houses that resemble the condition of Blom’s old house. We remain committed to assisting communities that are in dire need.” 

He stated that their wheelchair beneficiary, Palesa Oliphant, who is also a Vergenoeg resident, also attended the house opening.

“Oliphant was number 850 on the state waiting list for a wheelchair. She became permanently disabled and required a wheelchair as she was no longer able to make use of crutches.

“She underwent surgery at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in June. She couldn’t walk, and it was a struggle to transport her to the hospital or clinics for medical check-ups. We managed to raise funds so that we could donate a wheelchair to her,” Phuti added.