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By: Mthubanzi Mniki

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is moving swiftly to answer to the call of decent housing for all by accelerating housing delivery across the city.

A broad range of communities are benefting from housing delivery in the city, including the areas of Zosa Street in Korsten, Sakkiesdorp in Despatch, Chatty, MK Silvertown, Walmer Area O and Kwanoxolo.

To coincide with the feedback to communities on the Integrated Development Plan and Budget, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality also launched a number of housing delivery projects in March.

The Kwanoxolo housing project has seen 168 units constructed at a cost of R13 million. The project commenced in January 2012, and is now scheduled for completion.

In MK Silvertown, 97 units were constructed at a cost of R7.5 million. The project commenced in July 2010 and is also in its fnal phase of completion.

The Walmer Area O housing development has seen the construction of 437 units at a cost of R37.9 million. The project commenced in May 2010 and is in its fnal stages of completion.

These housing projects are in line with a key focus area of the Municipality, to restore the dignity of the residents of Kwanoxolo, Walmer Area 0 and MK Silvertown, who have been living in informal settlements. The positive spin-offs of this project on the residents will be job creation and community development.

Walmer Area O resident and housing benefciary, Thandeka Grootboom, said waiting for a house for years has been worth the wait.

“In February I moved into a beautiful new house. The house is of a high quality and I thank you the government, because my children are now living under a safe roof,” she said.

Grootboom said the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has

delivered on its promise to improve the quality of houses built.

“The houses that we receive now are far better than the ones that our community has received fve or 10 years ago. It clearly shows that the Municipality has improved on its system of monitoring housing delivery to its people,” said Grootboom.

Portfolio Chairperson for Human Settlements, Cllr Fikile Desi, said although there was a backlog in housing delivery, there has been progress.

“What is more satisfying is the quality of houses that our people receive from government. Gone are the days when we will have to come back and rectify houses. We are building houses that will bring back the lost dignity of our people. The ANC government is keeping the promise it made during the local government election to build better and sustainable communities,” said Cllr Desi.

He said the provision of quality houses was on the priority list of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.

“Those who are still waiting for houses must exercise patience because what we promised, we will deliver,” said Cllr Desi.

“In February I moved into a beautiful new house. The house is of a high quality and I thank you the government, because my children are now living under a safe roof,” Walmer Area O housing benefciary.