Twelve families from an informal settlement on Transnet land called Skoonplaas will be sleeping with much lighter hearts after a visit by Executive Mayor Benson Fihla and Human Settlements Chairperson Buyisile Mkavu brought them solutions.
These families, living opposite Goodyear in Uitenhage, will now be moved from the privately owned land to Joe Slovo in June to serviced sites where their new houses will be erected when that housing project gets off the ground.
The visit to this community was done in conjunction with the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, Uitenhage Kabah Circuit 216.
Executive Mayor Benson Fihla welcomed the partnership with the church and said it is in line with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s efforts to improve the quality of life for the poor.
Further interventions for this community include facilitation to receive Identity documents and social grants amongst other things.
Executive Mayor Fihla said: “South Africa’s president, Jacob Zuma, has condemned the continuous making of empty promises to our people. So instead of these empty promises, we now want to embark more on action than words so that our people’s confidence can be restored in us”.
Mandisa Ncaca (47), mother of two little girls who has been living in Skoonplaas for more than 10 years, said she was grateful for the surprise visit by the Executive Mayor and his team, and added that she was looking forward to moving.
She said: “I come from former Transkei and has never had a place of my own to live in. When this happens, I will be over the moon. As far as I’m concerned, the NMBM’s ANC government is doing a wonderful job and I would also like to thank the Methodist Church of South Africa for often visiting us and hand out food and clothes”.
Phindi Mtwalo, from the church said: “In conjunction with the municipality, we want to find ways to improve the lives of our people and restore their dignity.”
The life of 51-year-old Merlyn Alkenstead and her three grandchildren also received a welcome boost when the Executive Mayor and Cllr Mkavu handed her keys to a new temporary structure worth R54 000 in Middle Street, Langa today.
Cllr Mkavu said he acted immediately in March after being installed on 28 March as the new Chairperson for Human Settlements after becoming aware of the plight of the lady and her children. He received the request for help from the Ward 50 Councillor Zolani Ncwadi and the local ANC branch.
“The Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements assisted us with speed when we requested urgent help as the lady’s old shack was falling apart.
“I would like to thank the officials who worked hard to make the erection of this structure a reality and hope this serves as encouragement to others to jump into action and service our communities out there,” he added.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Council formally adopted Monday’s as constituency days so that Councillors can actively go out in their wards with the aim of providing solutions.
Merlyn Alkenstead opens the door to her temporary structure flanked by Human Settlements Chairperson Buyisile Mkavu (left) and Executive Mayor Benson Fihla.
