Shack dwellers receive first house in George

Speechless and in tears, Rachel Jumat and her partner, Cornelius van Greunan, became the owners of the first house to be handed over by George Mayor Mercia Draghoender at Erf 325 in Pacaltsdorp.

The middle-aged couple, who lived frugally in a shack made of plastic at the nearby Syferfontein squatter camp, were overwhelmed when Draghoender also gave them a washing machine, deep-freeze and combination oven/ hotplate as a housewarming gift to welcome them to their new two-bedroom home.

“It has been my dream to live somewhere where I can be dry and safe,” Jumat said.

The project, which initially involved 2500 houses, was granted provincial approval nine years ago but the number of houses was reduced to 904 due to objections from residents in neighbouring Delville Park against overcrowding. The project was approved in 2008.

“The project has been a long time coming to this day when we can hand over this house to the first beneficiaries,” Draghoender said.

Delays, she said, had been caused by rising construction costs and the town’s determination to build quality houses which meant the municipality had to secure additional funding.

Housing projects are subsidised by provincial and national government while local governments are tasked with the implementation.

Municipal spokesman Cathy Dippnall said Jumat and Van Greunan’s house was the first of 34 nearing completion.

Project manager Emil Young of Seaykay, contracted to build the houses, said they had suffered a slight delay because of unexpected heavy rainfall in June. “There has also been another delay as the mayor requested solar geysers for the houses. We are waiting for approval before finishing the roofs,” he added.

Once this had been approved, he said, building would speed up. “Our aim is to build 100 houses a month. Altogether about 600 people will be employed at different stages.”

The 40m² low income houses, which cost R98000 each, include open-plan living areas with a kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom. The houses are staggered on the plots, for homeowners to extend if needs be.

Pastor Jonathan Smith, chairman of the Erf 325 Beneficiaries Committee, said he had “tears in his heart” as well as in his eyes.

“This is a wonderful moment for the beneficiaries. It will bring stability to families who can at last put roots down and bring their children up in a safe and wholesome environment.”

(This story is courtesy of The Herald. Used with permission.)