DP conducts anti-poverty assessment
The visit of Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe coincided with the handover of several newly-built houses by the Bitou municipality to residents in Kwanokuthula.
On Saturday 21 August Motlanthe cut the ribbon on these new houses, all painted in bright colours, to mark a new phase in the lives of the people of Bitou.
The recipients of the houses could choose between three architectural styles, giving them the opportunity to pick which style suits them and their lifestyle best. This kind of luxury usually is never afforded to low-income households who depend on the State to deliver a roof over their heads.
Mayor Lulama Mvimbi said this is the start of new lives for the people living in the Bitou municipality, where they will be able to live with dignity in well-built houses which they can call home.
“This is crucial in our development agenda. The building of new houses should go a long way to eradicate the informal backyard dwellings where people live in bad conditions,” he said.
During the deputy president’s visit he visited various homes in Kwanokuthula where he met with residents and discussed how government can help them escape the trap of poverty.
The deputy president heads government’s anti-poverty campaign, which is aimed at getting poor South Africans to be less dependent on social grants and be able to take their destiny into their own hands.
QUOTES
DEPUTY PRESIDENT Kgalema Motlanthe: "We will assist poor households by giving them agricultural support so that they can start their own vegetable gardens and be able to feed themselves."HUMAN SETTLEMENTS MINISTER Tokyo Sexwale: "We will start a conversation with the rich residents to see where they can help."
BITOU MAYOR Lulama Mvimbi: "These houses will help people to live in dignity."
SPEAKER Lawrence Luiters: "People will get work opportunities through housing projects."
Motlanthe was flanked by the Premier of the Western Cape and various government ministers, including Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale and Public Works Minister Geoff Doidge.
Commitments were made to start a dialogue with the wealthy residents of Plettenberg Bay which will enable more development to take place and benefit those who live in Bitou.
Large-scale housing projects will also help to create jobs for residents, as unemployment is a key challenge in the area.
The municipality set aside money from its budget to fix houses that are falling apart, but also to build new homes that will enable people to live a better life.
