Housing department prioritise the disable people

Friday the 30th of March 2007 marked a very important day to 18 years old Refilwe Makau who is disabled. Department of housing handed a house to Refilwe of Alexandra north of Johannesburg who was born without legs. She had been waiting for this day for some time and could not believe that it was going to happen, "This house means a lot tome. I couldn't believe that one day I will move out from a shack, I thought I was going to die in a shack, but because God is great today our government is giving me a house'' said Refilwe.

The national housing minister Lindiwe Sisulu handed over the completed house to the disable Refilwe Makau.This was done after The Star publicized the plight of the young girl on its front page. Generous readers were touched by the young girl's situation and both national and provincial departments of housing teamed up with a number of sponsors to build a special house for Refilwe and her mother. Makau situation was so bad that she had to be carried from bus stop to her shack.

In her speech, the Minister said, "Refilwe today you have taught us the value of gift, we are gathered here to celebrate the spirit of courage, strength, love, caring and sharing''. She also mentioned that government would put the needs of the disability as first priority. They will jump the waiting list. All the disability earn less than 800 are entitled to full subsidy and will be given 15% subsidy, they will be pavement in your house yard so that when it rains your wheel chair don't stuck in a mud.