"Actions speak louder than words" these were the words the MEC of Local Government and Housing, Qubudile Richard Dyantyi chose to use, when he addressed thousands of Mfuleni residents during the Handover of new houses that took place on the 21st of February 2007 at Mfuleni.

The official programme for the day, started at Mfuleni High School, which is located near the site where the handover was going to take place. According to Dyantyi this was an intervention to the projects that were blocked last year, he promised the beneficiaries that he would fix the bottlenecks. "We need to make sure that we leave footprints wherever we go." said Dyantyi. Vuyani Qali Entertainment, two school choirs kept crowds on their knees.

Dyantyi told the crowds that during the provincial opening, the Premier promised to allocate more money to the Department to speed up the process of building low cost housing. According to him the department will be getting this lions share because of its good performance.

Hayi abambonanga meaning (they did not see him) was the song the women on traditional African robes sang on their way to the site. On the day, 6 beneficiaries were handed keys for their new houses. Among the beneficiaries was a disabled Zukiswa Yawa who lives with her three children. "I feel as if I am on top of the world as I have been waiting for a day like this for more than 15 years," said Yawa. According to her she will be safe from winter rainfall and she is even more delighted because the house is equipped with electricity and there is warm water.

Mr. Fundile Mxakatho, the Councilor for Ward 18 said his stress has been relieved with this handover. "I have been on boiling water since I assumed this position as people couldn't believe when I said a day like this will come," said Mxakatho. He said the handover was another way of the Department of Local Government and Housing showing its commitment to promises made.

This was a well done job by Niall Mellon Township Trust (NMTT) which consisted consists of Irish volunteers and South Africans. This Irish/South African charity entered a partnership with two People's Housing Process Committees (PHPC) namely; Mfuleni Twins and Chicago Bulls. The charity also forms partnerships with communities in which it works and other developmental organizations such as Development Action Group (DAG). According Ms. Deidre Grant, co-coordinator of NMTT, 2000 more houses are to be built across the Western Cape.

Issued by: Directorate of Customer Relations and Communication
Department of Local Government and Housing
Tel: 021 483 2870
Fax: 021 483 2010