By AGISANANG SCUFF
25 November 2025- After suffering a stroke earlier this year, forcing her into permanent disability, Boitumelo Pelaelo (68) from Dipudi Section in Ganyesa, thought her dream of owning a proper house would perish right in front of her eyes. However, this was not the case as her dream was realised when Pelaelo received keys to her newly-built house from the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi.
She is currently staying in an old house with her family of 13. The family depends on her old age grant and child support grants received by the younger children.
According to Pelaelo, the old house they were living in was small for the whole family and said they will now be able to live comfortably and not cramped.
“I would like to thank the government for what they have done for me and my family. This house will indeed change our lives for the better,” she said.
Pelaelo’s house has been amended with ramps as she is using a wheelchair.
The handover of houses is part of the Department of Human Settlement’s continued effort of unblocking blocked projects across the province. So far 80% of the project has been completed and houses handed over to beneficiaries.
Out of a total of 73 houses, 60 have already been completed.
Molapisi said this progress is a positive stride in the department’s commitment to accelerating housing delivery. He said the department will leave no stone unturned and will ensure that houses are built for legible beneficiaries.
“As the provincial government, we will continue to deliver on our mandate and change the lives of the people. We do this to ensure we deliver as promised. We further handed over houses to three elderly people at Tlapeng Section,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Ishmael Motlaleemang (70) had been living in a one-roomed house with his partner and two dependants for years. According to Motlaleemang, the new house will afford his family enough space to live in. The other two beneficiaries; Samuel Morakeng (70) and Kathrina Koba Seakwa (67), also thanked the department for finally recognising them as they have been waiting for their houses for years.
They said they will now be able to live comfortably without worrying during rainy seasons and strong cold winds.
The Guardian 