Over 100 families living in the Polokwane Transit Camp, near Newlands East, were handed the keys to their new homes in Cornubia, Phase 1B over the weekend.

Among the recipients was 20 year-old Wandile Khumalo who is disabled. He was elated at finally having his own modified home to accommodate his disability. Three other people living with disabilities also received houses in the settlement.

“I still can’t believe I now have a home. From sleeping in a train station and living in a container in KwaMashu to this luxury home. It is indeed a blessing. I’m now able to access the toilet and bathroom with ease. I also have running water and electricity. Our government is a government that cares for its people, I am grateful,” said Khumalo.

The process of allocating houses to the beneficiaries started on Thursday, 17 December 2015. Municipal trucks assisted with the transfer of residents belongings from the transit camp to their new homes.

EThekwini Mayor James Nxumalo applauded the City’s Human Settlements Unit staff who worked tirelessly over the past four days to ensure the families occupied their new homes in time for Christmas.

“I made a promise to the beneficiaries that before Christmas they would be settled in their new homes. I am proud that we have kept that promise. The Municipality wants to ensure that all residents have decent houses.

“Around 485 families are already living in Cornubia which is KwaZulu-Natal’s largest mixed use and mixed income integrated human settlement. This project will ultimately provide 15 000 housing units for indigent beneficiaries,” said Nxumalo.

Once completed, the project will boast 25 000 mixed-income housing units, light industrial factories, clinics, primary schools, a high school, businesses and parks. Mobile clinics are currently providing residents with healthcare services until a new clinic is built.