The Piet Plessis informal settlements will in few months be turned into a formal settlement when the current housing project is completed. This follows the completion of the first housing project of about 176 houses which were officially handed over by the MEC for Human Settlements Public Safety and Liaison Nono Maloyi, to beneficiaries on Thursday.

The 14.8 Million rand project has changed the face of the informal settlement which was made up of shacks, mud and plastic houses. The department has further appointed another contractor to start with phase two on the project which will see the construction of 200 more houses to other beneficiaries who are still staying in informal settlements in the area. According to MEC Maloyi the project will commence very soon, and will ensure that most locals are employed in the project.

Many residents of the settlement are farm workers who were evicted from neighboring farms while others were from nearby villages. Majority of those who are employed in Piet Plessis are employed by farmers while others survive on communal farming.

Ms Paulina Kgangyame a local resident is one of the beneficiaries of the first phase of the project. She and her children have been staying in a one room house divided by a curtain. Privacy was a dream to her. Today Ms Kgangyame has her own room and sleep peacefully with her grand children. The 72 year old has been surviving on social grants, and has welcomed the generous gesture by government with open heart she said.

“We have been staying in unbearable conditions which greatly compromised our health. We never knew a proper house until now. I would like to thank ANC led government for providing shelter and a home to my family. I never dreamed of having such a beautiful structure because It’s for the first time and could not have managed myself. I thank government for giving my children a home,” said the excited Kgangyamang.

Speaking during the handover MEC Maloyi called on beneficiaries to take care of the houses. He said that government wants to restore their dignity in this critical period when the country is celebrating 20 years of freedom. “It is government’s priority to make sure that you have proper houses and that you are comfortable and safe in them. Enjoy them because together we are moving South Africa forward,” said Maloyi.-TDN
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