Cape Town - A group of people who have long fought for decent homes got the ultimate festive season gift on Tuesday when they were handed the keys to new houses.
On Tuesday, Mayor Patricia de Lille handed over four houses to excited Hangberg residents.
The first block of 26 units in brand new Sea View, Hout Bay, will be handed over in mid-December, just in time for Christmas.
And the remaining 45 units will be handed to beneficiaries by April 2016.
Beatrice Adams, 65, was overwhelmed with emotion when received her keys, and hugged the mayor in tears.
“I have lived in a bungalow all my life,” explains Beatrice.
“I have never had a real home and this is a wonderful birthday gift for this month.
“The Lord put me here. I finally have my own home,” she said clutching her key to her chest.
Beatrice’s new neighbour Emma Kathleen Abbott, 60, says the first thing she will do in her new home is “kneel down and pray to God for giving me this”.
Emma says: “I am very grateful to the Mayor and all they have done to give me this nice house that looks out over the ocean like rich people.”
De Lille said there had been bad relations between the City and the Hangberg community but negotiations over the last two years had culminated in the new homes.
“We first had to build trust before we could build homes for these people,” explains De Lille.
Daily Voice
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