Military veterans welcome City’s housing policies
28 July 2016
The City of Johannesburg’s comprehensive housing policy has been commended as “bold and progressive” by Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Kebby Maphatsoe.
Addressing more than 1 000 community members during the unveiling of the second phase of the Lufhereng Integrated Housing Development, west of Soweto, on Wednesday July 27, Maphatsoe said the City’s policies had set a precedent for amendments to national policies.
“As military veterans and the ministry we are extremely grateful and thankful to the City of Johannesburg for its bold and decisive housing policies. Johannesburg is the first city to look at and take definitive decisions to look after military veterans. As the national government, we have had to look at Johannesburg’s policies and follow suit,” the Deputy Minister said.
The City’s Chairperson of the Section 79 Housing Committee, Cllr Jacquire Lekgetho, said the City’s housing policies were modelled around the desire to restore the dignity of the residents and improve their quality of life.
“The delivery of housing opportunities such as the Lufhereng development is an ongoing drive by the City of Johannesburg to address housing inequalities in our communities. Housing opportunities earmarked for the military veterans aim to restore the dignity of those who fought for our freedom,” said Lekgetho.
On completion, the Lufhereng housing development will deliver a total of 22 850 housing units by 2023, of which a fair number will be reserved for military veterans. The military veterans’ housing units will not only be bigger than the others in the neighbourhood but they will also be fully furnished, made easily accessible for those with disabilities and include a carport, fencing and a back yard garden.
Maphatsoe said the added features were made possible by the ministry’s decision to top up the subsidy by R75 000 per unit.
“In this phase of the Lufhereng Housing Development, which is phase 2, a total of 30 military veterans will benefit. The keys to the new houses are expected to be handed over to them within the next month,” he added.
Members of the community who attended the event were in high spirits.
Protea North resident Wendy Madika, 21, said she was excited about the developments in Lufhereng and the opportunities these were likely to bring, especially for the youth.
“We are positive that the housing development will bring positive changes and opportunities to this community. At present there are no public amenities to keep the youth busy and out of trouble. As a result, we have a high teenage pregnancy rate. Alcohol and drug abuse is also very high.
“The Lufhereng development, with its significant number of schools and community facilities, provides outlets that the youth will use. This will improve their lives going forward,” she said.