KZN Human Settlements MEC Duma announces new housing projects for Mandeni residents
MEC Siboniso Duma speaks at the KwaSithebe housing Imbizo in Mandeni.
Image: Mandeni Local Municipality
The Mandeni Local Municipality in northern KwaZulu-Natal, together with the provincial Department of Human Settlements, recently held a community Imbizo in Mandeni’s KwaSithebe to address ongoing housing concerns and update residents on planned developments in the area.
The engagement brought together officials, community members and local leadership to discuss four major housing projects currently in the pipeline.
According to the Department of Human Settlements, the following projects are in the planning phase:
- Ward 3: New housing development
- Wards 6, 11 & 16: Combined housing initiative
- Wards 11, 16, 17 & 18: Multi-ward housing project
- Ward 7: Separate housing development
KZN MEC for Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, stated that the provincial government is committed to restoring dignity by improving access to housing.
He also announced that a house will be constructed for a gender-based violence survivor in KwaSithebe, with the project expected to be completed by Christmas.
“There is a significant housing backlog in the province and across the country. We are working to bring housing closer to where people live so they can develop their communities. Unfortunately, due to budget limitations, we cannot build houses for everyone at once,” said MEC Duma.
Mandeni residents who were at the KwaSithebe housing Imbizo.
Image: Mandeni Municipality
Mandeni Mayor, Thabani Mdlalose, thanked the MEC for responding swiftly, particularly in light of a recent case involving a woman who experienced gender-based violence after becoming homeless.
“As we start the 16 Days of Activism ( for No violence against women and children campaign), I applaud the MEC’s decisive response to the issues raised during our IDP meeting here in KwaSithebe on Sunday. This truly shows that we are a caring government. We hope our community now has a clear understanding of the housing projects that are planned for them,” said Mdlalose.
At the imbizo, residents were informed about government's efforts to prioritise housing delivery despite financial constraints that continue to slow progress.