JOHANNESBURG - A man has received the keys to his new Breaking New Ground (BNG) home just a few days before his 54th birthday, the City of Cape Town said on Monday.
The city said Fred Swanepoel was overjoyed when receiving his new home along with two other beneficiaries, Faith van Rooi and Helen Fortuin.
The three beneficiaries were among 16 to receive the keys to their homes in the R55 million Belhar-Pentech housing project on Friday.
To date some 24 beneficiaries have received homes built as part of the project, which will provide 340 beneficiaries with homes and is expected to be completed by June 2020.
"Congratulations to all our beneficiaries on becoming homeowners for the first time, including Mr Swanepoel who celebrates his birthday in his new home today," mayoral committee member for human settlements Malusi Booi said in a statement.
Beneficiary Faith van Rooi with her family, Cllr Booi and Cllr Jaftha. PHOTO: Supplied.
"Owning a home means much more to the beneficiaries than just having a roof over their heads. It signifies the restoration of dignity to some of our most vulnerable residents and provides them with security."
Booi said the city was making every effort to ensure that the construction of the housing project remained on track so that more beneficiaries could receive their home.
(From left) Ryan Thomas from the City’s Human Settlements Directorate with Cllr Jaftha, beneficiaries Helen Fortuin and her son Kaylin and Cllr Booi. PHOTO: Supplied.
The housing project includes the building of semi-detached and free-standing single-storey houses, as well as the installation of electrical infrastructure, street lighting, open spaces and sidewalks.
"Our beneficiaries are reminded that as property owners, they are responsible for all matters pertaining to their homes, which have become their assets. As such, they are encouraged to maintain their homes and secure them for their loved ones in future by including it in their wills," Booi said
"As the construction of this housing project progresses, we are looking forward to welcoming more qualifying beneficiaries to their homes over the coming months."