Government initiative supports KZN flood victims with housing
In a significant move to support flood victims in KwaZulu-Natal, the national and provincial Department of Human Settlements embarked on a four-day initiative to engage with affected communities. This effort included the handover of housing units and title deeds, marking a crucial step towards restoring dignity and security for those who lost their homes during the devastating floods of 2022.
Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane was accompanied by MEC Siboniso Duma and local government leaders.
Simelane urged subsidised government house beneficiaries to value and safeguard their properties for future generations.
Simelane shared this message while handing over title deeds in KwaHlomendlini, Mandeni Local Municipality.
“Value your properties. The title deeds you are receiving today are not just pieces of paper. They are instruments of dignity, economic empowerment, security, and a promise of a better future,” Simelane said.
A total of 1,011 title deeds were expected to be handed over as part of the Title Deeds Friday campaign.
The department aims to register and hand over 80,000 title deeds as part of its 2024-2029 Medium Term Development Plan. This initiative is expected to unlock over R16 billion in asset value.
During her visit, nearly 100 permanent houses were handed over to individuals who lost their homes during the 2022 flood disasters in eThekwini and the uMgungundlovu District Municipality.
“You could see the tears of joy, but also tears of pain. These challenged us to speed up the delivery of houses to those in desperate need,” Simelane said.
Simelane acknowledged delays in settling other disaster victims, stating that the department found it necessary to invest in social facilitation for both the affected families and the surrounding communities.
“We must reject the ‘Not in My Backyard’ mentality. This mindset perpetuates a form of pre-1994 segregation. It hinders the dismantling of apartheid spatial planning. True democracy requires inclusive communities that reflect the values of our Constitution,” Simelane said.
Duma added: “The reason for taking long is the issue of financial constraints. The fiscus is the directive and the determining factor as to when we are going to start. As long as we have money, we start the process, but if we don’t have the money, we don’t.”
Additionally, the department is prioritising the building of over 1,000 housing units for flood victims in and around Thekwini.
Duma confirmed that government has secured several pockets of state-owned land to house displaced communities.
On Wednesday, Simelane and Duma handed over housing units to flood victims at the Illovo Infill Housing Project, handed over the Cato Crest Housing Project and held a community engagement and a title deeds handover in eThekwini.
In Illovo, 13 of the 20 houses built for flood victims were handed over to affected communities.
The Minister and MEC handed over double-story housing units to the remaining 71 of 1,100 communities in Cato Crest.
On Tuesday, Simelane and Duma met with flood victims. They introduced a contractor to build houses in Impendle Local Municipality, before handing over housing units to flood victims in Copesville, in the Msunduzi Municipality.
Beneficiary Pinky Ludziya expressed gratitude to those who played a role in getting them a home in Copesville.
“I didn’t know how to react or what to say when we were told this is ours, my body is shaking,” she said.
Speaking for the Zondi family, Mama Mazibuko, 61, said she was extremely happy.
“This is a house, this is a real house,” Mazibuko said, pointing to the new house.
thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za