EThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba, Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane and KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma today handed over houses to two families at Maphephetheni.
The handover marks a milestone in the rollout of the Maphephetheni Phase 3 Rural Housing Project.
The long-term project is on track to provide dignified, secure and permanent homes to 2 286 families by 2028.
Close to R7 million has been allocated to the project for the 2026/27 financial year.
The handover comes ahead of a provincial oversight visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday, 29 October 2026.
The President will join provincial and local leadership to mark major housing milestones and inspect key infrastructure projects across eThekwini.
The visit highlights the government’s ongoing intervention and long-term recovery plans for survivors of the 2022 floods.
Sites on the President’s programme include the Cornubia Integrated Human Settlements Project and Montclair Lodge.
Montclair Lodge is a flagship, government-owned facility that continues to provide secure shelter for flood survivors moving into permanent housing.
Mayor Xaba praised the joint approach of the three spheres of government, in line with the District Development Model, as a model for accelerated service delivery.
Mayor Xaba said: “As a City, we are encouraged by the seamless level of co-operation between the local, provincial and national spheres of government. This coordinated effort is vital to advancing sustainable, climate-resilient housing solutions, restoring dignity to our rural communities and permanently resettling our vulnerable flood survivors across eThekwini.”
Beneficiary Khombisile Ngidi, whose mud house was destroyed by recurring floods, wept with joy during the handover.
She said: “Thank you for restoring my dignity. My children now have a place they can call home.”
What do you feel about this post?
Like
Love
Happy
Haha
Sad
