Delft buzzed with excitement on Wednesday as more than 2 000 people received the title deeds and keys to their new homes in Leiden.
The handover was hosted by national Human Settlements Minister, Nomaindia Mfeketo, and provincial Human Settlements Minister, Bonginkosi Madikizela, at the development known as the Delft Precinct 7.
The national department, through the Housing Development Agency (HDA), is working in close collaboration with the Western Cape Provincial Department of Human Settlements and the City of Cape Town to deliver about 15 000 homes to communities in five precincts.
This includes New Rest, Delft 7-9 and Delft Symphony, Boystown and Joe Slovo.
Ouma Zingisa Gcuze, 67, was among the beneficiaries and says after living in a one-bedroom hokkie with her family of five, she could not believe she now has a home of her own.
KWAAI: New homes at Delft Precinct 7 in Leiden
“Me and my family have been living in Crossroads for many years. We have a small hokkie that all of us squeeze into and it is terrible living there,” she says.
“Every year when it rains the place floods and we sleep in water. I feel so happy to be here and still can’t believe after all this time I have my own house.”
Mfeketo discouraged beneficiaries from selling their houses, adding: “But in case a person decides to do so, please use the services of estate agents [and] lawyers, and inform the municipality to ensure such a deal is legitimate.”