New hope for Olievenhoutbosch families: 447 RDP houses handed over

For six years, Johanna Mthethwa, 29, and her five siblings have been living in a cramped shack in Olievenhoutbosch Extension 60, struggling to make ends meet after their mother's passing. 

But their lives took a dramatic turn for the better on Wednesday when they were among the 447 families who received the keys to their brand-new RDP houses from Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya and the MMC for Human Settlements Aaron Maluleka.

Overjoyed by the government's provision of low-cost housing, Mthethwa expressed her gratitude for the two-bedroom RDP house she received.

"It feels completely different from living in a shack," she said. 

As an unemployed individual, Mthethwa relied on the RDP housing programme to secure a decent home, and she is thrilled to have a place to call her own.

As the eldest child, Mthethwa inherited the RDP house from her late mother, who had applied for it before her death.

Alfred Masango, a 69-year-old pensioner and long-time resident of the area since 2015, expressed his delight with his new RDP house, which was built in 2024. 

Having previously lived in a shack, Masango was happy to have a decent and comfortable home, describing it as "nice".

He shares his new home with his son and wife.

He expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the government's provision of a decent home in his golden years.

"I am extremely happy they have built me a house. I am so thrilled that I even dance inside it," he said.

Mayor Moya said the multi-party government celebrated the service delivery achievement for the people of Olievenhoutbosch with the completion of 447 new housing units.

“In completing these houses, we have provided the bulk infrastructure necessary to turn these houses into homes,” she explained.

The project started with the construction of 1.5 kilometres of bulk water line and repairs to the internal water and sewer reticulation, 9km of road and stormwater, four bridges, and installation of 758 water meters, scheduled to be completed in the near future.

Moya said: “The finalisation of the remainder of the elements to this development will be aided by the reprioritisation of R4.5 million in the most recent Adjustment Budget to ensure water provision in Olievenhoutbosch Extension 60.”

She commented that with any large-scale project, delays are inevitable and that the Olievenhoutbosch housing project faced several setbacks, including vandalised sewer connections, a change in contractors, and the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“It is our conviction that we do not simply put up a roof over your head, but we ensure that we build homes with access to potable water, electricity, sanitation, road networks with storm water drainage to mitigate the effects of flooding given the current Tshwane weather patterns,” she said.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za