MEC Mokonyane hand-over 100 houses and launches Food Garden Project

The Gauteng Housing MEC Nomvula Mokonyane will hand-over 100 houses in Kagiso Extension 12 that were built under the People Housing Process (PHP). The event will coincide with the launch of Food Garden project.

The PHP is a housing programme that is aimed at supporting households who wish to enhance their subsidies by building or managing the building of their own houses. In Gauteng the programme requires the beneficiaries to be on a serviced site and have proof of ownership if they wish to benefit from the programme.

In the 2004/05 financial year the MEC announced that 20 Food Gardens will be established in 20 Housing Support Centers and as a result service providers were appointed to establish Food Gardens as the department does not have technical expertise for this type of initiative.

The Food Garden project was established as part of the Department's response to the Provincial Government's strategic objective of poverty alleviation and job creation.

In Kagiso Extension 12, Food and Trees for Africa was appointed to establish the food garden. The food garden in Kagiso has been established with ten community members working in the garden.

Amongst the beneficiaries of 100 houses is a 65 year old pensioner, Emma Setshoni Dipheko, of stand number 15691 Kagiso Extension 12.

Ms Dipheko who has been unemployed since 1989 has added to her state pension grant by the rent she receives from people on her stand who are currently waiting for their houses.

Her participation in the construction of her house was choosing her house plan and by providing meals for the builders as part of the sweat equity. Sweat equity encourages participation by beneficiaries in the construction of their houses either through building the structure or providing support to other builders. Ends.

Issued by Media Services and Research Directorate.