Mandela Day: MEC Tasneem Motara lays the foundation for change in Orange Farm

MEC for Human Settlements in Gauteng, Tasneem Motara, put together brick and mortar to build homes for vulnerable families in Orange Farm at Charity Community Church as part of the international Nelson Mandela Day commemoration.

The Department of Human Settlements will be working together with Habitat for Humanity South Africa (HFHSA), the Nelson Mandela Foundation, South Africa Broadcasting Corporation, Industrial Development Corporation, Nedbank, Teleperformance, SA SDI Alliance and Proctor & Gamble in building houses for needy families.

“On this Nelson Mandela Day, it is our respective responsibility to do our part to ensure the legacy of President Nelson Mandela lives on. The Department of Human Settlements, Gauteng, is grateful for the continued support of Habitat for Humanity, the IDC and other partners in our agenda of Housing Gauteng. Together, we can honour Madiba’s memory by working tirelessly to provide dignified housing and improve the lives of our people” MEC Motara.

MEC Motara will also be joined by the Executive Mayor for the City of Joburg Kabelo Gwamanda, HFHSA National Director Daphney Ngoasheng and Ward Councillor Makhosazana Ndlela, amongst other dignitaries.

Channel Africa has partnered with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)’s Corporate Social Investment Department for the Mandela Day 67 minutes initiation. The station and SABC CSI have joined forces with Habitat for Humanity SA in building 67 houses for 67 families in Orange Farm, South of Johannesburg, South Africa.

This is a project aimed at improving the lives of underprivileged families. The project includes various aspects of building such as mixing cement, laying blocks, among other things.

Nelson Mandela International Day is celebrated each year on 18 July. Channel Africa’s reporter Nhlanhla Mahlangu was there and shared more about what the station is doing.

“Five families will today each get a house. Some of these beneficiaries told us they’ve been on the waiting list for over 34 years.“

Some of them are living in tin-roof houses where it is just a single room where there are five other family members staying in one room, so they are very grateful for this opportunity that has been offered by Habitat for Humanity in partnership with various stakeholders.