Gogo Thandeka Khumalo, An 84-year-old, of Gwala Street in Lamontville is the happiest woman alive. She celebrated with tears of joy when receiving a brand-new house from Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda as part of the Municipality’s Pre-1994 Rehabilitation and Refurbishment Programme.

Gogo Khumalo’s old house was one of 842 housing stock in Lamontville that were identified by the Municipality with structural defects and required urgent attention. She had been living in a depilated structure with three dependents.

Mayor Kaunda said that the project was part of the Municipality’s concerted efforts of addressing the inhuman, unsafe conditions endured by the occupants in their existing deteriorating homes that were built by a non-caring apartheid government.

“Out of the 842 structurally defected housing stock in Lamontville, we have completed 670 units while 43 units are currently in progress. The remainder of 129 units will be completed before the end of the year as the project was put on hold because of the COVID19 lockdown. We are proud that the project has improved social conditions in the area, and that we were able to create employment opportunities for the locals,” said Kaunda.

An elated Gogo Khumalo said that she never thought that she was going to witness this day and thanked the Municipality for caring for the poor.

“The Khumalo gods are finally smiling on me. I am excited to receive such a beautiful gift from my Mayor. I will now sleep at night without worrying about snakes, heavy winds and rains as we are now approaching the wet season,” said Gogo Khumalo.