Gauteng Department of Housing

Gauteng MEC for Housing, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane, today handed over 20 Prioritized Township Programme (20 PTP) completed projects worth more than R20 million to the community of Sebokeng in the Vaal.

Accompanied by the MEC for Education in the province, Ms Angie Motshekga, Mokonyane handed over a newly built clinic, a refurbished school and five tarred roads totaling 3, 5 kilometers.

20 PTP was launched by Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa in 2006. The programme is an intergovernmental programme involving both the provincial and local governments. It is aimed at the rehabilitation of the existing social and economic amenities for the 20 previously marginalized townships in the province.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, MEC Mokonyane said due to years of apartheid neglect of black townships which resulted in the decay of basic infrastructure, it was important for this government to come up with innovative ways to reverse the situation.

"We have come a long way and it is imperative for the community to make use of these facilities and guard them jealously" said Mokonyane.

MEC Mokonyane urged the community to take ownership of the facilities and look after them as they are there to serve them. She noted that the revamped roads are not merely for beautification, but for easy transportation and access to work. Addressing members of the community at one of the refurbished schools, Ekujuleni Lower Primary, Education MEC Angie Motshekga said the handover was the culmination of the hard work done by government.

"What we are witnessing here today is the fulfillment of the promises we made when we came to power, that is quality education and safe schools among others." She said.

The road construction has created more than 300 job opportunity locals