The hearts of a few residents from Riebeek West to Saldanha Bay on
the West Coast leapt with joy this week as they officially received the title
deeds to their homes.
Tertuis Simmers, provincial Minister of Human Settlements, visited
the region this week to engage with residents to help them understand
the department’s processes better. “I commend my senior executive team who did
a sterling job in presenting and clarifying our processes,” he said. “Similar
to the Garden Route and Overberg Districts, it’s become clear that there were a
few misunderstandings about how we function. I am happy to say that the
municipalities and those stakeholders we engaged with now have a clear
understanding.”
Housing, and specifically the delivery of government subsidy
houses, has led to various service delivery protests recently. The most recent took
place last month in Laingville, where residents complained about the lack of
land for informal housing as well as the allocation of houses.
The department’s R200 million budget cut, and the effect it would
have on municipal housing delivery, was also explained to residents and all
other stakeholders.The Swartland Municipality was allocated R59,9 million,
Saldanha Bay R 25,46 million, while
Bergrivier had an allocation of R 5 million.
“Given the current economic climate and cuts in our budgets, which
affect all spheres of government, I once again call on municipalities to
incorporate alternatives such as Sustainable Building Technologies (SBTs) and
other affordable housing solutions in their development mix, so that they’re
able to deliver to their people at an accelerated pace,” Simmers said.
On his visit Simmer handed over title deeds to 10 Riebeek West
residents and 10 beneficiaries in Langebaan and Hopefield.
In Langebaan, Caroline George said the joyous day was a long time
in coming: “We’ve waited so long for this day to come, but it’s been worth the
wait. I’m grateful to the provincial and municipal governments, who made this
day possible. I will never forget this day.”
