Tears of joy flowed in Kuils River on Wednesday as a group of grannies received the keys to their brand-new homes.
After years of living in hokkies, backyard dwellings and even an open veldjie in Elsies River, the oumas could not hold back the tears when they saw their new homes, which are also fully furnished.
Helen Fredericks, Sylvia Meyer and Louise Katrina Davids were the deserving beneficiaries in a project initiated by Ward Councillor Franchesca Walker.
She says when she became a councillor three years ago, she heard complaints about elderly people living on veldjies and in hokkies despite being on the housing waiting list for decades.
“So I walked in Leonsdale to find these women and what I discovered is that many of their details were not updated on the housing database, so while they qualified for homes, the officials could never reach them. So I took each one and fixed it so that they are contactable,” explains Walker.
LEKKER GESELS: Helen with Sylvia Meyer.
Helen, 74, says she has been living in backyards for 35 years and had no idea why it was taking so long to get a home.
“Today I see God has not forgotten me and I can finally have my own house. He sent an angel to me,” the grateful gran says of Walker.
Sylvia, 69, has been on the list for 40 years and over the past 12 years has been sleeping in a derelict clubhouse on a veldjie.
“There is no roof, no water and no electricity, but the councillor always told me my house will come,” says Sylvia.
“She took all my details and she would bring us food as me and my grandchildren sukkeled to survive.
“Nobody knows how I feel. I just can’t stop crying.”
Sylvia, 69, has been on the list for 40 years. Video: Monique Duval
Louise, 77, has been on the list for 45 years and could only smile when she noticed the number of her new house is 45.
Two families from Leonsdale with special needs children were also given homes as part of the handover.
Walker says when she heard the oumas would be getting homes, she appealed for donations.
“I wanted them to have more than a house, they needed a home,” she says.
“So before they moved in, we painted the walls with paint we got from A&H.
LOADS OF KOS: The new homeowners with groceries. Picture: Monique Duval
“When they replaced the carpets at the council office, I took the mats home and cleaned it and put it in their new homes.
“Tafelberg Furnishers donated brand-new beds and couches, Pick 'n Pay gave groceries.
“Vertical Blinds will be installing blinds in the bathrooms and kitchens and Romatex gave new bedding and curtains.”