25 new houses for Orange Farm

2012-07-20 17:24

Johannesburg - There was jubilation on the dusty streets of Orange Farm's Extension 10 on Friday as the community attended a ceremony to hand over 25 new houses.

In a bid to mark Nelson Mandela month, 14 businesses came together to build houses for the community.

Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale and the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory joined non-profit organisation Habitat for Humanity SA in handing over the houses.

Habitat for Humanity steered the project.

Sexwale praised the initiative, saying it emphasised the vision of former president Nelson Mandela.

"Doing this in the spirit of Madiba truly makes me proud," he said.

Sexwale also spoke out about corrupt government housing officials.

"Let's condemn any government people who steal people's money... away with corruption, away!"

He also had a message for the 25 new home owners.

"People gave of themselves to give you these homes. Take care of them. Do not sell them," Sexwale said.

One new home owner, Alina Mokoena, a street vendor and mother of two, was overjoyed when she received the keys to her new home.

"I am so surprised, so happy; I can't believe this is happening to me," she said.

The 14 companies brought in their employees to contribute to the initiative.

Habitat for Humanity spokesperson, Adrianne Burke, said this was just one of her organisation's many projects aimed at bettering the country.

"We intend to build 67 houses in each of the provinces by next year. We continue to call on South Africans to support us," he said.

- SAPA