By Thapelo Sakoana

Gauteng MEC for housing Nomvula Mokonyane says the newly built modern hostels in Tshwane’s townships will enhance government’s drive to abolish informal settlements and provide people with affordable rental accommodation.

The MEC and the Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa visited the hostels in Mamelodi, Saulsville and Soshanguve on Friday, October 7.

Mokonyane said the hostel projects would go a long way in ensuring sustainable communities. Dilapidated hostels have been demolished and new high-tech ones built to create conducive environment for residents.

In Mamelodi at the Mabitleng hostel, decaying hostels have been destroyed and three-storey blocks of flats (one to three bedroom units) are currently under construction.

Temporary accommodation has been arranged at Kingsley hostel for current occupants without alternative accommodation.

Mokonyane said: “We want to see these families moving into this conducive environment,” she said.

Existing buildings have been upgraded in the Saulsville hostels at Attridgeville as their structures were declared structurally sound.

More than 20 local contractors have been employed in the fields of building construction, water and sanitation network installation and electrical engineering, among others.

The project has also provided training to 20 employees in Occupational Health and Safety as well as 21 others in First Aid procedures.

Thandi Kekana (30), whose company Nathisikhona Constructions was contracted told BuaNews that she had employed 23 local people, 12 of whom were women.

“I am happy that through this project, I am able to help showcase talent and potential of people in my community,” she said.

Community liaison officer for the Saulsville project David Lewis said they anticipated moving people into the newly renovated units by next week.

He said an allocations committee had been set up to deal with residents who want to move in.

“All applicants must be South African citizens and if married they must provide proof of marriage, birth certificates for children and proof of income,” he said,

Already there were about 5 448 applicants on the waiting list.

Lewis said rental fees would be charged at R100 per one bedroom unit. “This means that for two bedroomed units people will pay R200 and R300 for those units with three bedrooms,” he said.

In Soshanguve the project has created at least 103 jobs for locals. It has also provided about 54 people with training in painting, bricklaying, plumbing and carpentry.

Mokonyane praised residents of the three townships for their participation in the projects. “The love and passion of leaders and the participation of communities are critical aspects that ensure the success of these projects,” she said.

She urged all municipalities in the province to pursue similar projects to rid the province of informal settlements.

Source: BuaNews