Housing MEC hand-over another batch of houses

Gauteng Housing MEC Ms Nomvula Mokonyane handed over the first batch of the 702 houses currently under construction at Cosmo City in Kya Sands, north of Johannesburg recently.

The five beneficiaries who received the keys to their houses never owned a house before. Speaking at the hand-over the MEC said the aim of the project, Cosmo City, is to build houses for ordinary people including domestic workers and labourers so that these people can be able to own houses or apply for affordable bonds.

Ms Mokonyane added that this R200 million housing project will change the lives of people, given the fact that this is a mixed-use, integrated housing development which will also house low and high earners.

The MEC once more acknowledged the talk Radio 702 and FNB for the crucial role in addressing the housing backlog in Gauteng. This she said it was through their unselfish effort of providing low income earners with access to affordable houses and promoting the reinstatement of the dignity of an African child.

MEC Mokonyane encouraged beneficiaries to attend beneficiary education provided by the financial institution so that they could be updated and make the necessary renovations. She also sounded a word of advice: "you must use your water and electricity sparingly because if not you'll be paying more".

Furthermore she said whenever homeowners experience financial difficulties or can't pay their services, they should inform the financial institution so that a solution could be found.

One of the beneficiaries and physically challenged Anele Baloyi (28) originally from Eastern Cape and a resident of Gauteng for three years now, was overwhelmed.

"Getting a house is a beginning of a new life and it's a blessing in disguise." Baloyi has been renting a room in Ivory Park near Tembisa.

Meshack and Mapule Mokgophi with their four children who have been renting a single room were visibly ecstatic and Mapule was lost for words but only managed to say: "we are grateful".