KWABHACA— An elderly woman and her family of five are beginning a new chapter of their lives after receiving a fully constructed RDP house from Umzimvubu Local Municipality as part of Human Rights Month commemorations.
The official handover took place on Tuesday in Ward 12, Mpoza Village at KwaBhaca where Ms Bulelwa Rasmeni had been living with her grandchildren in a dilapidated shack exposed to harsh weather conditions.
For years, the family endured heavy rains and strong winds that frequently threatened their safety.
“Today marks a new beginning for me and my children and grandchildren. We lived in fear whenever it rained or when strong winds blew through our shack. Receiving this beautiful home restores our safety. I am deeply grateful to Umzimvubu Local Municipality,” Rasmeni said during the ceremony.
The Municipality confirmed that an amount of R237,579.72 was invested in the construction of the house, which now provides the family with a safe and dignified living environment.
Umzimvubu Local Municipality Mayor Cllr. Zukiswa Ndevu said the municipality remains committed to addressing housing challenges affecting vulnerable residents. “As the Municipality, we recognise the serious challenges associated with inadequate shelter, particularly during adverse weather conditions. We therefore remain firmly committed to providing permanent housing solutions that restore dignity, promote safety and improve the quality of life of our residents, working with the Department of Human Settlements,” she said.
According to the municipality, Rasmeni was prioritised after an assessment of her living conditions found them to be unsafe, particularly given that she is caring for her grandchildren.In addition Municipal officials acknowledged that other residents continue to live under similar conditions and assured communities that housing needs are being attended to with the urgency they deserve.
The handover forms part of ongoing efforts to uphold the constitutional right to adequate housing, while restoring dignity and security to vulnerable households in rural communities.
For the Rasmeni family, the new house represents not only shelter, but renewed hope for a safer future.
Photographs: Umzimvubu Local Municipality
